Archaeologists exploring Great Sand Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands have successfully located the remains of an 18th-century French navigational beacon. During a 2023 expedition, the team identified remnants of the temporary lighthouse, which was historically used to guide French warships through hazardous waters before being demolished.
Led by Spencer Bennett alongside Dr. Ruud Stelten, Alex Hinton, and Dr. Joost Morsink, the team mapped the site after finding the island split by a sandy walkway. They discovered etched cardinal directions in the surrounding rock, alongside scattered bricks and rusted metal pieces that once supported the beacon’s lamp. Historical maps confirm the site, once known as Sand Key, served as a French navigational aid during the Seven Years War. The structure was hastily dismantled after the island transitioned to British possession, preventing the British Royal Navy from utilizing the vantage point. The artifacts provide clear evidence of how these temporary, essential structures were constructed and operated by sailors navigating the region during the 1760s.