THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 16, 1994 TAG: 9411150131
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Mary Reid Barrow
LENGTH: Long : 101 lines
Historians have always said the original site where the first English settlers landed at Cape Henry at 1607 has eroded into the Atlantic Ocean.
And for years they also have said the settlers' early tracks in Jamestown have been covered by the waters of the James River. Any archaeological signs of James Fort, the triangular palisaded fort the settlers first built at Jamestown, has always been thought to be under the river's muddy bottom.
Now archaeologist William Kelso may be on the verge of changing that line of thinking. A row of stains in the earth indicating rotted out split posts may lead to the discovery of James Fort itself, Kelso told members of the Princess Anne County/Virginia Beach Historical Society last week.
Kelso is the director of archaeology for the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. The APVA owns 22.5 acres on James Town Island, site of the original settlement, and is sponsoring a 10-year archaeological search for the 1607 James Fort. The search, called Jamestown Rediscovery, is leading up to the 400th anniversary of the first settlers' arrival in 1607.
Kelso began excavations in April, and the row of stains, along with the discovery of numerous 16th and 17th century artifacts, have been very encouraging, he said. The stains could indicate the beginning, middle or end of the palisades that surrounded James Fort.
``I'm not saying it is THE palisades,'' he told the historical society, ``but it certainly is encouraging. We're real encouraged that we may find something substantial.''
The only way for the archaeologists to know for sure is to follow the palisade stains and other clues wherever they may lead across Jamestown Island. Kelso, who was the resident archaeologist at Monticello when the slave cabins were excavated, said other artifacts uncovered so far only reinforce his enthusiasm.
``We began excavations in April and almost immediately began to find early 17th century artifacts almost at the surface of the ground,'' Kelso said.
Archaeologists have uncovered ceramics, like pharmaceutical jars and decorative jugs, one that was as old as the late 1500s or early 1600s. Pieces of armor and parts of guns and swords also have turned up. They've found bones, seeds and other clues to daily life in early Jamestown.
An unusual number of glass beads, some of which are like the beads that John Smith was known to have traded with the Indians, also were found. An abundance of copper has shown up too, Kelso said.
``Some think copper allowed Jamestown to survive because they used it to trade with the Indians,'' he said. ``The whole interaction with the Indians is an exciting part of what we're finding.''
They also found a medallion with the face of Pope Gregory the 13th on it that they were able to date to the year 1580.
``That was the most exciting find of my life,'' Kelso said.
The day he spoke to the historical society, crews uncovered a very large iron object. Kelso said it will probably turn out to be a helmet.
Kelso and other archaeologists are working to preserve finds like the helmet at the Audrey Noel Hume Center for Archaeological Research on the waterfront at Jamestown Island. Visitors can stop by the center and see some of the discoveries on display.
They also can watch the archaeologists at work in the field. Excavations will probably continue for another couple of weeks before winter sets in and work is more intermittent.
Jamestown Island is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 1 to March 31 except Christmas Day with longer summer hours. The admission fee is $8 per vehicle. To reach Jamestown Island, drive to the Jamestown National Park Service entrance station at the end of the Colonial Parkway.
Stop by and see what they're doing and/or take out a $25 or $50 membership in the APVA. Your contribution will go directly to the archaeological project. The address is APVA Jamestown Rediscovery, 2300 East Grace St., Richmond, Va. 23223. You may become a part of history in the making. As Kelso said of the palisade stains:
``We may have a garden fence but then it's possible we have found James Fort.''
P.S. For regular updates on the progress of Jamestown excavations, call 1-800-890-APVA.
A DISCOVERY FIELD WALK will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday , at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Call 721-2412 for reservations.
FOODWAYS: HARVESTING THE PAST is the topic of a special tour at 2 p.m. Nov. 19 and 26, at the Adam Thoroughgood House. Call 664-6283 for reservations.
FEAST ON GOOD COUNTRY COOKING and shop at the Christmas Shop at Tabernacle United Methodist Church's annual Colonial dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday at 1265 Sandbridge Road. The cost is $6.50 for adults and $3 for children. MEMO: What unusual nature have you seen this week? And what do you know about
Tidewater traditions and lore? Call me on INFOLINE, 640-5555. Enter
category 2290. Or, send a computer message to my Internet address:
mbarrow(AT)infi.net.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo
The ivy-covered Old Tower is the only standing ruin of 17th century
Jamestown. Adjoining it is the Memorial Church, erected in 1907.
by CNB