Investigations at the Royal Naval Hospital Cemetery (C. 1763–1834) in English Harbour, Antigua

A two-decade study of the Royal Naval Hospital Cemetery in Antigua reveals that dietary habits, societal pressures, and individual agency influenced food consumption among different groups within a stratified society. Stable isotope analysis demonstrated distinct dietary patterns, while trace element analyses showed variable exposure to lead and mercury, with one notable case of high mercury levels. This research provides deeper insights into health conditions at this 18th-century tropical naval outpost, clarifying historical issues that were previously speculative.

Varney, T. L., Waters, C. K., & Murphy, R. (2025). Investigations at the Royal Naval Hospital Cemetery (C. 1763–1834) in English Harbour, Antigua. Bioarchaeology in the Caribbean, 321–348. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429444449-17