It is a work that results of scientific and archaeological survey of the fortification carried out between 2005-2006. It is a study of the findings of that brings together a set of texts of the researchers Élvio Sousa, Rafael Nunes and Brian Philp.
This book is based on the findings of the fort of St. Joseph. What conclusions you reached?
Élvio Sousa: The fort was built in the eighteenth century and not before as was alleged, between the fifteenth and sixteenth century was a rock, could be a landing zone, but that was it. Its construction began during the second half of the fifteenth century, hence it appears that the name of the king that was in power, Dom Joseph was at the time of the Marquis of Pombal. It was built to help in the defense of Funchal and also shows how important were the English influence. It was a British headquarters during the occupation of the island and we found extraordinary things, from metal objects used by the English fleet, swords, muskets bullets, components of Brown Bess, a weapon used in the Napoleonic wars. Many objects of seventeenth-century pottery, a bone workshop, manufacturing buttons with this material. It is a study that seeks to understand the occupation of space in the period from 1750 until the present day.
What other elations you could withdraw from this study?
ES: The Fort St. Joseph is the only fortification of Funchal that has been excavated so far. And also shows the importance of archeology to the knowledge of the everyday life, in this case until the nineteenth century. The artifacts are very curious.
On the question of whether it is an independent territory?
ES: It's a complicated legal issue. That was an isle that belonged to the territory of the archipelago; however, it is a controversial topic.
You found also traces of bones?
ES: There were animal bones and Rafael Nunes studied the cutting techniques. Brian Philp focused on the raising of the structure.
For how long was the occupation of the island by the British?
ES: I do not know the exact date, but I think it was until 1820.
