Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in what is now the USA. Alongside the James River 3 ships with 100 men landed in 1607 and set up a fort. This is now an amazing archaeological site and since Mum and the boys were there 10 years ago they have discovered a lot more. Last time we spent most of our time in the reconstructed fort and village with dressed up people and very fun for younger kids. This time we just went to the actual historic site and spent a fascinating 3 hours there.
(By Laura)
The original 1607 fort was built over many times and gradually over years of archaeological work a picture has formed of what life was like for the early settlers. The triangular fort from 1607 and its main structures are laid out to look at and explore with photos of the digs done in different parts.
This dis-used well was used to dump rubbish in when they stopped using it for water and yielded about 1 million artifacts!
The Starving Time took a huge toll on the settlers and they buried their dead inside the fort as they were being held under siege by Powhatan's people at this point after some disagreements. The Virginia Company back in England also did not want people to know how bad things were.
This is a model of the first fort. The river has now changed its course and one of the corners (far left) is now partly under water.
Defense against invaders.
The rope rings the first church on the site and where Pocahontas and John Rolfe were married. The statue is of John Smith looking out over the James River.
Lots of inlets and swamp areas.
Captain Smith was one of the main leaders in the early days and saved the colony with his no nonsense approach and negotiations with the native people.
Unfortunately he got a bad infection after a gun powder explosion and had to go home to England before the Starving Time (1610-1611) Things were very hard after he left.
The Archaearium was filled with all the hundreds of archaeological finds from historic Jamestown. They had pieces of armour, fragmented pots and skeletons of people who had died in various ways. One young by had been shot in the leg by an Indian arrow. Another teenaged girl, about 14 had been canabilised after death during the starving time. They named her Jane and you can see her story on the archaearium website. It was very interesting and I am very glad we went.
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