Organised by Ivo van Wijk and Tanja van der Zon, the exhibition celebrates the diversity and shared heritage of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It highlights how archaeology and history connect people across cultures and generations.
The exhibition tells stories of history, trade and culture, from the Pre-Columbian era to the early days of international trade. One featured item is a Spanish olive jar, showing St. Eustatius’s important role in global trade. Other artefacts highlight the island’s rich pre-Columbian history, colonial past and cultural blending.
St. Eustatius offers visitors a glimpse into its unique archaeological legacy, with items that reveal centuries of trade and cultural exchange.
Heritage experts from the Dutch Caribbean, including Raimie Richardson, were present at the opening alongside Her Majesty Queen Máxima. Their presence emphasised the significance of Caribbean archaeology and the value of preserving these discoveries.
The Statia Government extends its sincere thanks to the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Ivo van Wijk, Tanja van der Zon, Daudi Cijntje, trainee Matthé Nat (who helped organise artefacts at the Cultural Heritage Institute), Kenneth Cuvalay, and everyone who contributed to making this exhibition possible.
As the island continues to preserve its heritage, museums around the world continue to show great interest in artefacts from St. Eustatius.
