Brick with Hoofprint

Although most of the earliest buildings in James Fort were post-in-ground structures, bricks were used in cellars and chimneys. By 1608, they were mold made of the locally abundant clay at Jamestown.

After this brick was removed from its mold, it was turned on its side to dry before firing. While the clay was still wet, a pig stepped on it, leaving this deep impression and also unmistakable archaeological evidence of pigs at Jamestown shortly after the Starving Time winter of 1609/1610. In spite of its flaw, the brick was fired in a clamp and used in the brick-lined cellar of Structure 183, the Blacksmith Shop/Bakery. It was discovered in 2007 during excavations of the building. Excavations showed that this structure was first used as a metalworking shop in 1608, and as a bakery from 1610 until about 1616/1617.