The Maritime Cultural Landscape of Dutch Mauritius: Uncovering the VOC's prolonged interest in the 'failed colony' of Mauritius (1598-1710)

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History (MA)

Fick, Jason (2019)

The Maritime Cultural Landscape of Dutch Mauritius: Uncovering the VOC's prolonged interest in the 'failed colony' of Mauritius (1598-1710)

Master thesis | History (MA)

This thesis is focussed around the question of what the maritime cultural landscape of Dutch Mauritius can tell us about the island's roles and significance in the Dutch overseas expansion (1598-1710). The curious contrast between the great gap that exists in colonial and maritime historiography concerning Dutch Mauritius and the fact that the VOC had a dominant presence on the island for over a century has been the main reason to dive into this question. While leaning on the archaeological concept of Westerdahl’s maritime cultural landscape by analysing the elements of geography, structures and sailing routes, and by complementing this landscape through historic research into the elements of maritime knowledge and European competition, this thesis shows that Mauritius was more important to the Dutch overseas expansion in the Indian Ocean than was previously thought.

VOC

Mauritius

Maritime cultural landscape