March 22, 2010

Archaeological excavations will begin on March 29th at Historic Jamestowne, the first permanent English settlement in North America. The field work will focus on the one-third acre area that remains unexplored within the bounds of the James Fort walls, exploring in depth the remains of four centuries old Fort buildings and industrial areas. This work will likely yield signs of more of the Fort's military quarters and an arms and armor storage building described in 1610 as the "Corps de Guard."

Senior Archaeologist Danny Schmidt conducts excavations at James Fort

Dr. William Kelso, Historic Jamestowne's Director of Research and Interpretation said “The amazing discoveries at James Fort, year after year, have continued to exceed my wildest dreams. The findings of the 2010 season will almost certainly add significantly to the rich and personal stories of both Jamestown’s earliest English settlers and the native Virginia Indians".

Once again, the work will be carried out by Historic Jamestowne's Jamestown Rediscovery Team professional staff archaeologists, field school students attending the Historic Jamestowne/University of Virginia Archaeological Field School, and professional curators and conservators. The excavations will also be on view for the visiting public on weekdays and the open trenches can be viewed weekends weather permitting. To learn more visit www.historicjamestowne.org.

If You Go

Historic Jamestowne, an Official Preservation Virginia Historic Site, offers a wealth of activities for exploring the first permanent English settlement in North America. Visitors can share the moment of discovery with archaeologists and witness archaeology-in-action at the 1607 James Fort excavation April-October; learn about the Jamestown Rediscovery excavation at the Nathalie P. and Alan M. Voorhees Archaearium, the site's archaeology museum; tour the original 17th-century church tower and reconstructed 17th-century Jamestown Memorial Church; and take a walking tour with a Park Ranger through the New Towne area along the scenic James River. Entrance to the site is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center and Voorhees Archaearium are open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and the grounds remain open until dusk.

Historic Jamestowne is jointly administered by Preservation Virginia and the National Park Service and preserves the original site of the first permanent English settlement in the New World. Admission is $10.00 for adults and includes admission to Yorktown Battlefield for seven consecutive days. Children under age 16 are free. National Park Service and federal recreation passes are also honored. For further information, visit www.historicjamestowne.org or call (757) 229-0412 or (757) 229-1733.