The Island of the Genuine Robinson Crusoe

Daniel Defoe's “Robinson Crusoe” book, or movies like Robert Zemeckis' “Cast Away” (starring Tom Hanks as a survivor of a plane crash forced to live on an island for 4 years) are not entirely fictional, as history proves. Recent digs on the island of Aguas Buenas indicate that the tales of such a survivor are true. The person in question was called Alexander Selkirk and was a Scottish sailor cast away in 1704, who had to live off the island's natural resources for more than 4 years. Actually, he chose to stay behind on the isle after a fight with the ship's commander, not knowing that he would have to wait for so long to be rescued.

 

The archaeological dig proved the presence of a European inhabitant on the island, as it successfully uncovered 2 navigational dividers, among other things, indicating that a navigator, as the written records of the time claim Selkirk was, had indeed camped at that site. The person who saved Selkirk, Captain Woodes Rogers, relates that, upon descending at the location in 1709, he observed “some practical pieces” and some mathematical instruments.

 

David H Caldwell from the National Museums Scotland is happy with the findings. “The evidence uncovered at Aguas Buenas corroborates the stories of Alexander Selkirk’s stay on the island and provides a fascinating insight into his existence there. We hope that Aguas Buenas, with careful management, may be a site enjoyed by the increasing number of tourists searching for the inspiration behind Defoe’s masterpiece.” he says.

 

Judging by the post holes, Selkirk build 2 shelters near a stream of freshwater, as the study shows, while also scouring the seas in search for rescuing ships, from a vantage point. According to the records written soon after his rescue, he used a gun saved from the ship to shoot goats, while he ultimately got to outrun them. He ate the meat and used the skin for clothing purposes. The Bible helped him pass the time. Since the actual evidence was discovered, the island has been renamed Robinson Crusoe, but it's still not known whether the author of the book (published in 1719) actually got to meet Selkirk in person.