Archaeologists are digging up hundreds of years of history in a groundbreaking project to excavate one of Bermuda's oldest forts.

The expert team from William and Mary College in Virginia have already unearthed the 17th Century ramparts of Smith's Fort on Governor's Island, St.

George's.

Now they are hoping to scratch the surface of some old ruined foundations, dating back to the American War of Independence.

It is already thought to be the first time this century that so much of the fort has been exposed to the open.

And the archaeologists are hoping to plough deep enough underground to find more relics and artefacts from the early 1600s.

Smith's was one of Bermuda's first ten forts, built between 1612 and 1622.

The team of six graduate students and a professor believe the fort could be a treasure trove like King's Castle on Castle Island, where the same team found 19 pieces of old Bermuda hogge money in a two-year dig.

Project leaders working on Smith's Fort have been given the go-ahead to dig at Smith's Fort by the National Parks Commission and the Bermuda Maritime Museum.

Museum curator and archaeologist Dr. Ed Harris said: "This team has been working on various sites in Bermuda since 1993.

"They are conducting an archaeological research project into the first 10 forts of Bermuda.

"Previous work at the King's Castle revealed completely unknown defensive features.

"And it was there that we also found the spectacular collection of 19 pieces of hogge money.'' The excavation team, who operate from the Sea Scout building at nearby Convict Bay, is being led by Norwegian expert Professor Norman Barka.

His project on Governor's Island is expected to last up to six weeks.

One of the researchers is a Bermudian student home for the summer -- and several volunteers are also expected to help with the dig.

"Smith's Fort is a two-period fort,'' added Dr. Harris. "The original fort was started in late 1612 and the front, seaward part of the fort -- which is a gun battery -- survived.

"The rear portion, which was a small building with two towers, was demolished at the time of the American Revolutionary War.

"We are hoping to find the remains of that underneath parts of the later works, behind the ramparts.

"Those ramparts are already standing quite proud and it would have been quite some time since they were last seen.'' He said the excavation. which began on Monday, was being done by hand-digging.

"It's typical archaeological spadework,'' he said. "It's working with trowels.

"It's probably only about two feet down to the bedrock but if we unearth something remarkable like we did at Castle Island, we will obviously dig deeper.'' Any relics dug up would be put on public show in St. George's before a permanent home was found for them.

The hogge money, eventually to be displayed at the Maritime Museum, is still being exhibited at the Bermuda Monetary Authority in Hamilton.

DIGGING INTO HISTORY -- Part of the archaeological dig at Smith's Fort.

Graphic file name: GUVDIG02