Research | Historic Jamestowne

A birds-eye view of the survey float in the green, mucky swamp. The green water swirls behind the kayaks as they're pushed through the water

Finding the “Greate Road”

Moving from terrestrial archaeology to maritime archaeology September 27, 2024. Sean Romo, Senior Staff Archaeologist, Mary Anna Hartley, Senior Staff Archaeologist, David Givens, (former) Director of […]

September 27, 2024

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Archaeology Blog

A Mysterious Maker

Conservation and research of a marked sword blade from the Governor’s Well Archaeologists recovered many swords and sword elements while excavating the Governor’s Well in the […]

August 20, 2024

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Archaeology Blog

Leather shoe fragments excavated from the Governor's Well in water after excavation, fall 2023

These Shoes Were Made For Walkin’: Leather shoes from The Governor’s Well

Shoes are among the most personal artifacts in Rediscovery’s archaeological collection. Unlike so many things from the 17th century that are no longer used today, we […]

August 13, 2024

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Archaeology Blog

Mending Olive the Jars

Amanda Nedell, 2024 Curatorial Intern and Lauren Stephens, Collections Assistant Amanda Nedell recently completed an 8-week long internship with Jamestown’s Curatorial staff, focusing on a ceramic […]

July 9, 2024

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Archaeology Blog

“In conservation, this will probably be the hardest thing you ever do.”

Conservation of a large early 17th Century Case Bottle Jackie Bucklew, Conservation Intern In 2014 archaeologists Mary Anna Hartley and Danny Schmidt excavated fragments of a […]

May 17, 2024

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Archaeology Blog

Dendrochronology – Studying Tree Rings to Learn about an Antique Violin

May 13, 2024. Dr. Chuck Durfor, Senior Staff Archaeologist and Staff Photographer. Dendrochronology is the study of the size and spacing of tree rings within a […]

May 13, 2024

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Archaeology Blog

All Well and Good

Encountering Sulfate Reducing Bacteria at Jamestown April 12, 2024. Janene Johnston, Associate Curator, and Dr. Chris Wilkins, Senior Conservator. Archaeologists recovered a trove of interesting artifacts […]

April 15, 2024

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Archaeology Blog

An archaeologist removes a wedge-shaped brick from the brick well ring using their hand and a trowel. The brick is covered in the original mortar.

Understanding Bricks

Colonial Williamsburg helps translate the language of bricks March 20, 2024. Natalie Reid, Staff Archaeologist In October of 2023, Jamestown Rediscovery archaeologists completed the excavation of […]

March 20, 2024

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Archaeology Blog

Dishing Up Data

Ongoing Analysis and Conservation of the Spoon from the Governor’s Well Excavations on the Governor’s Well uncovered many incredible artifacts, like a sword, two sword hilts, […]

November 7, 2023

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Archaeology Blog

Artist's interpretation of African woman

Commemorating the First Africans

Revealing the contradictions of the past Author: Mark Summers, Public Historian & Director of Public & Youth Programs In late August 1619, the first Africans arrived […]

August 16, 2023

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Archaeology Blog

Jamestown in the Civil War

Go beyond 1619: Black History at Jamestown Jamestown in the Civil War Today, many are familiar with the history of the first Africans forcibly brought to […]

February 9, 2023

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Archaeology Blog

Jamestown Goes to Portugal

Every January, the Society for Historical Archaeology and the Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology, two international organizations for professional archaeology, sponsor the Conference on Historical and […]

February 7, 2023

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Archaeology Blog