The conclusion of the first stage of the archaeological and historical research made at the Lieutenant's Governor House, National Monument, and in another nearby house, confirmed that the Cuban eastern city of Holguin is much older than so far believed. The diggings allowed isolating ceramic of Spanish and Mexican origin, classified by the Cabinet of Archaeology of the Office of the Havana City Historian as from a period between 1540 and 1650, together with aboriginal material, as roped vessels and fragments of carved flint.

The evidences suggest that, before the construction date of the Lieutenant's Governor House by 1752, there was a man’s dwelling -at least- from the first half of the 17th century, including Cuban aboriginals working as servants.

The other archaeological objects located there made up the most numerous and representative sample of the foundation period of the future city of Holguin, among them Spanish, English and French ceramics that show the area was populated already during the whole 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

Researches Juan Jardines and Angela Pena, archaeologist and historian in charge of the project, said that this is just the beginning and that all the gathered information should undergo lab tests in order to corroborate the information on the early history of the city of Holguin, about 70 years older already and that it could be even much older in time.

Up to now it was believed that the first houses in areas belonging to the Holguin farm was founded by captain Garcia Holguin in April fourth, 1545 or 1720.

Soon, the second stage of the research project will begin, which favored by the Ministry of Culture, is called “Approach to the early history of Holguin through the archaeological and historical investigation of the Lieutenant's Governor House and other properties of the 18th and 19th centuries.

(Radio Angulo)