2021 | Historic Jamestowne

In 2021, the Jamestown Rediscovery team will be excavating along the historic Seawall on Jamestown Island. The Seawall was built at the start of the 20th century to combat erosion and has protected the archaeological resources at Jamestown for over 100 years. Excavations will uncover additional information about its construction as well as allow the team to assess areas that might need repair. In addition, the team will be uncovering additional portions of 1607 James Fort’s East Bulwark, and later 17th-century buildings and deposits that relate to Jamestown’s time as thriving port city. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys will also be carried out along the Seawall to identify problem areas and possibly historic features.

The archaeologists will also be excavating in the area around the Church Tower and Memorial Church, examining previously unexplored spaces within James Fort and just to the east. Finally, the Jamestown Rediscovery team will continue their GPR surveys within and around James Fort, in order to trace out previously uncovered features, identify historic structures and deposits, and select promising excavation areas.