What is an “Art”ifact?

Archaeologists rely on both art and science to know more about the past. Old paintings and drawings show what kinds of tools people used, what foods they ate, and even what types of clothing they wore.

This video from our Jamestown in a Minute series talks about an inlay (or small decoration) that archaeologists found in a cellar at James Fort. Someone long ago carved a picture of a soldier into it. If you look closely, you can see the buttons on his doublet jacket. Archaeologists found buttons just like this at Jamestown!