Antique firearms among relics discovered underneath northern Haiti church
Research at the site will continue, the cultural experts said, and they hope to establish a Heritage Interpretation Center in the Grande-Rivière-du-Nord commune. The post Antique firearms among relics discovered underneath northern Haiti church appeared first on The Haitian Times.
The nine antique rifles discovered in a pit in the courtyard of a church in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord, Haiti’s Nord Department, were presented by the National Bureau of Ethnology (BNE) on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Photo via the BNE’s Facebook page
The nine antique rifles discovered in a pit in the courtyard of a church in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord, Haiti’s Nord Department, were presented by the National Bureau of Ethnology (BNE) on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Photo via the BNE’s Facebook page
The nine antique rifles discovered in a pit in the courtyard of a church in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord, Haiti’s Nord Department, were presented by the National Bureau of Ethnology (BNE) on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Photo via the BNE’s Facebook page
The nine antique rifles discovered in a pit in the courtyard of a church in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord, Haiti’s Nord Department, were presented by the National Bureau of Ethnology (BNE) on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Photo via the BNE’s Facebook page
GRAND-RIVIÈRE-DU-NORD, Haiti — Antique firearms discovered in a trove of relics underneath a church in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord may date back to the 18th century, cultural experts said Thursday. They added the find is a significant step in efforts to preserve Haitian heritage in that part of the country.
“Experts believe that some of these weapons may be linked to the pre-independence period,” the Ministry of Culture and Communication said in a statement Thursday. “Preliminary observations indicate that some of the firearms display characteristics consistent with naval or infantry weapons from the late 18th century.”
“Some of the firearms display characteristics consistent with naval or infantry weapons from the late 18th century.”
Ministry of Culture and Communication
The 20 or so items were uncovered Tuesday during excavation work in the courtyard of the Conservative Baptist Church. Videos of the ancient weaponry have been circulating on social media since.
By Thursday, members of the National Bureau of Ethnology (BNE) — the institution responsible for documenting and preserving Haiti’s cultural heritage, historical collections and archives — were at the site. During the visit, BNE identified 20 weapons, including nine musket-like rifles and 11 handguns.
The National Bureau of Ethnology (BNE) team along with local officials and leaders during the archeological visit to view the artifacts found underneath the Conservative Baptist Church in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Photo via BNE’s Facebook page
The National Bureau of Ethnology (BNE) team along with local officials and leaders during the archeological visit to view the artifacts found underneath the Conservative Baptist Church in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Photo via BNE’s Facebook page
The National Bureau of Ethnology (BNE) team along with local officials and leaders during the archeological visit to view the artifacts found underneath the Conservative Baptist Church in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Photo via BNE’s Facebook page
The National Bureau of Ethnology (BNE) team along with local officials and leaders during the archeological visit to view the artifacts found underneath the Conservative Baptist Church in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Photo via BNE’s Facebook page
The National Bureau of Ethnology (BNE) team along with local officials and leaders during the archeological visit to view the artifacts found underneath the Conservative Baptist Church in Grande-Rivière-du-Nord on Thursday, July 16, 2026. Photo via BNE’s Facebook page
Led by BNE Director General Erol Josué and archaeologist Dr. Joseph Sony Jean, the team also documented several other archaeological remains, notably metal objects and fragments of pottery and earthenware.
“The goal is to establish the collection’s date and historical significance in order to better understand and promote Haiti’s cultural heritage,” the Bureau said.
BNE’s team also met with the mayor of the municipality, Jovenel Jean, and church and school officials, to discuss the necessary measures to protect and preserve this newly discovered historical heritage.
Research at the site will continue, the cultural experts said. They also encourage the revival of efforts to open a Heritage Interpretation Center in the commune and to develop heritage and archaeology education programs for the population of Grande-Rivière-du-Nord.
“For the BNE, this discovery is not only archaeological,” said the Bureau of Ethnology. “It is an opportunity to launch new ethnographic and archaeological research into the contribution of Grande- Rivière-du-Nord to Haiti’s history.”
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I am Juhakenson Blaise, a journalist based in the city of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I cover the news that develops in this city and deals with other subjects related to the experience of Haitians for the Haitian Times newspaper. I am also a lover of poetry.
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