A Sealed Fate: An Examination of a Wax Jack from Port Royal, Jamaica

Abstract This study presents a detailed examination of a wrought-iron wax jack recovered from the ruins of Port Royal, Jamaica, which was destroyed and submerged as a result of the 1692 earthquake. During the Texas A&M University–led excavations from 1981 to 1990, this artifact was initially misidentified; later it was confirmed to be among the oldest examples of its kind. Provenance analysis traced the wax jack to Building 4 at the intersection of Queen and Lime streets, near where the HMS Swan was careened. Conservation efforts, including x-ray radiography and epoxy casting, unveiled the intricate details of the wax jack, which would have been used for sealing correspondence with melted wax. Archival research identified the likely owners as Nathaniel and Jane Cooke, moderately affluent residents of Port Royal. This discovery not only highlights the sophisticated methods employed in historical artifact conservation, it also provides a rare glimpse into the daily lives and social status of the Port Royal inhabitants prior to the catastrophic earthquake. This study thus underscores the significance of meticulous archaeological practices and comprehensive archival research in reconstructing historical narratives from underwater sites.