Summary

Hello everyone, Our Heritage Foundation is an official registered Foundation with the registrar of associations since 2020- BRN number L20000586, we are currently working on the mapping of all chimneys and sugar mill remains of Mauritius. 

Sugar Industry has been an important part of Mauritian History. With the rapid development and shift in the economic pillar of the country, sugar industry is being wiped out. From the existence of 400 sugar factories at a time, it now remains only five. To preserve that memory and heritage, Our Heritage Foundation is proposing the Archaeological Mapping consisting survey and documentation of all the sugar factory remains.

To undertake this project, OH.F is seeking the collaboration of your organisation/company. The overall project is estimated up to 3 million rupees including the purchase of much-needed equipment, the Leica 3D scanner.

For this project, we have a team of several professionals, namely; Cheshta Hoolash Taucoor as team coordinator and project assistant, Jayshree Mungur- Mauritian Archaeologist, Christelle Miao Foh- Archivist/Research assistant, Nipon Medhi- Photography/Videography expert and we will also be joined by two land surveyors, an engineer, a conservator and labourers throughout the duration of the project, which will be about one and a half to two years time.

Our Heritage Foundation

Our Heritage Foundation (OH.F) is a non-governmental and non-profit making organisation. The foundation brings together experts in heritage, history, archaeology, geology and museology with the objectives to research, preserve and promote heritage and most importantly to strike the right balance between heritage and sustainable development. 

The team members have previously worked on various national and international projects, more recently on Balaclava ruins of Maritim, Phase I and II of Powder Mills archaeological survey and excavation and archaeological excavation of Batterie de la Reine fortification site.

Project: Conservation of Sugar Factory remains in Mauritius

Our Heritage Foundation has initiated several projects among which the Archaeological Mapping of Sugar Factory Remains, which involves the recording and documentation of all chimneys and their associated remains in Mauritius. With a lack of conservation and the fast-developing landscapes, many of that heritage are disappearing. Hence, the need to urgently undertake a scientific and systematic recording of all the sugar factories’ remains.  This work involves research in archives, archaeological fieldwork, photography, videography including drone and scanning. The output will be in the form of a book and a documentary movie to make the information accessible to the public at large. The result can be used in the future for further scientific research as well as promotion of tourism and development. 

This project is not only of interest and importance for Mauritius but has a global
importance as it also falls within the recommendations of the UNESCO Slave Route Project and the UNESCO Indentured Labour Route Project, as to identify, inventory, preserve and promote the cultural heritage sites relating to slavery and indenture.

Aims and Objectives

The project aims at carrying a detailed and comprehensive inventory and documentation of the tangible remains of sugar factories and associated features around Mauritius to
preserve the memory of the once pillar and core history of Mauritius.
Within this main aim the project will attempt to fulfil the following objectives:
• To have scientific data on sugar factories and associated features. The tangible
properties will include among others; the mill, the quarters (Camps), housing,
religious structure(s), offices and any other attached built feature and structure;
• To locate and identify all the remains;
• To survey and map the remains;
• To undertake photographic documentation and video of the sites;
• To undertake 3D scanning of the main structures such as chimneys and barracks;
• To georeferenced all sites to produce a map of Mauritius with the exact location of
all the remains
• To publish the inventory in the form of book and a documentary film
• Use data to boost heritage tourism in the country

Finance

To undertake this project, OH.F is seeking the collaboration of your organisation/company. The overall project is estimated around 3 million including the purchase of much-needed equipment, the Leica 3D scanner. We are currently working on research and documentation part of the project which we have started on a voluntary basis and a start up capital of Rs 50,000 approx for little expenses. If we do not succeed to raise funding for this project, unfortunately, the project will go dormant while the remaining chimneys and sugar mill remains continue disintergrating until decided to be removed by the authorities. However, if we manage to get atleast 50% of the sum we will be able to do the mapping of all remains to prevent the buildings to be lost throughout history even though the purchase of the lidar scanner and publication of a book will not be possible.

We are grateful to any amount of money donated, however, we will put the name of the person/organisation who donates up to rs100,000 and more in our publication as collaborator. The Foundation relies on your support to meet the objectives of the project and bring the heritage to people. Your sponsorship is highly precious and will be fully acknowledged on our website and on the different outcomes of the project.