An Opposition MP has called on Government to explain why a slave era ruin was demolished in a public park, saying the Island must protect its heritage.

Trevor Moniz made the claim yesterday in the wake of reports that Hill House was torn down this spring.

Hill House, a ruin, was so named because it sat alone at the centre of hilly Hog Bay Park and almost certainly inhabited by black slaves and freedmen in the 1800s.

When contacted yesterday, Acting Environment Minister Sen. Milton Scott said the issue was still being investigated by the Parks Department, and promised a response soon.

"I'm very concerned that Hill House was demolished,'' Mr. Moniz said. "The Minister needs to speak to this issue. This building was in a protected area and it is deeply concerning that it has disappeared like this, not to mention it's archaeological value.'' Mr. Moniz said the Island had a diverse heritage and said our slave past is a vital part of all Bermudians' legacy and a building site with artifacts from that time should be preserved.

"Yes we have different histories and challenges and misunderstandings,'' he continued, "but we need to be able to recreate and understand the life that was led by our people.'' Mr. Moniz -- who is of Azorean Portuguese descent and an outspoken defender of their rights and heritage -- explained he became aware of the Island's lack of historical artifacts from the slave period when the Maritime Museum began to diversify its collection.

"I'm a trustee with the museum and I told them you're going to have to be relevant and that we must have diversity,'' Mr. Moniz said. "They must appeal to a cross section of the community.

"But when we started the slave exhibit we didn't have any artifacts. People just didn't seem to keep them. Why have we allowed Hill House, this vital part of our heritage, to be destroyed?''