Dr. Douglas Owsley and Dr. William Kelso Examine Remains Thought to be Captain Bartholomew Gosnold

JAMESTOWN, Virginia -- Results of the DNA analysis to determine if archaeologists have discovered the grave of Captain Bartholomew Gosnold, a founding father of Jamestown and America, will be released on November 10.

A press conference will be held at Historic Jamestowne on November 10 at 11:00 a.m. to provide interview opportunities with Dr. William Kelso, director of archaeology at Historic Jamestowne for the APVA Preservation Virginia; and Dr. Douglas Owsley, forensic anthropologist at the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of Natural History.

National Geographic EXPLORER will feature a one-hour documentary on Jamestown, November 20, at 8:00 p.m.

In 2003, Historic Jamestowne archaeologists uncovered the remains of a captain buried ceremoniously just outside James Fort. Based on archaeological and forensic evidence they believe it is the grave of Capt. Bartholomew Gosnold, the principal promoter and leader of the expedition to establish Jamestown, the first permanent English colony in the New World in 1607, and the birthplace of the United States.

To prove their theory, archaeologists obtained a sample of bone from a woman in an unmarked grave buried beneath the chancel in All Saints Church in Shelley, England, who they believe is Gosnold's sister, Elizabeth Gosnold Tilney. This marks the first time the Church of England has granted permission to obtain samples from remains for scientific purposes.

DNA and microscopic analyses of bone and tooth samples have been conducted by the Smithsonian Institution. The results will be revealed on November 10.

Media Contact:
Paula Neely, Neely Communications
(804) 781-0116, (804) 240-9722 (cell)

Church of England Contact:
Nick Clarke, Diocesan Communications Director
01473 298521 or 07779 780030