This webpage displays images of human skeletal remains for educational purposes. By proceeding, you agree to view images of human skeletal remains as extensions of living persons to be treated with care and respect.
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project summary
In the mid-1990s Jamestown Rediscovery proved the 1607 fort did not erode into the James River as was long feared. Ongoing archaeology at the site has located scores of unmarked and unknown burials associated with the early evidence of the founding of our nation. Rediscovery’s mission isto uncover, preserve, and share Jamestown’s diverse history and its contributions to the foundations of America. Archaeological and scientific analysis of burials and human remains offer a physical account of the lives and deaths of the Jamestown population. Historic records are incomplete, biased, and omit important aspects of daily existence and the diversity of the community. Environmental threats to the landscape and archaeological features are accelerating, necessitating intervention through rescue archaeology and research.
“It is credibly stated that when the bank thus exposed [in 1896] was undermined by the waves, several human skeletons lying in regular order, east and west, about two hundred feet west of the tower ruin were uncovered. On account of their nearness to the tower it seems quite probable that the skeletons were in the original churchyard. . . . Soon after being exposed to the air the skeletons crumbled.”
–The Site of Old James Towne, 1607-1698 by Samuel H. Yonge 1904 (page 52)
This eroding burial ground was one of the main drivers of early efforts to preserve Jamestown by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. Burials were encountered throughout the landscape by early archaeological efforts in the 1890s and early 20th century and the first burial excavated by Jamestown Rediscovery was uncovered in 1996. Since then, burials have been excavated primarily from burial grounds on Statehouse Ridge, within and around the churches, and the west corner of the fort.
The archaeologists prepare for excavations in the 1607 burial ground. The protective gear is worn to minimize the chances that modern DNA contaminates the human remains.
project goals
The ultimate goal of the Jamestown Rediscovery Project and our Bioarcheology Project is to learn more about the former inhabitants of Jamestown Island and to share their history with public and academic audiences in a way that is accurate, engaging, and respectful of the multiple perspectives represented on this site. Bioarchaeology helps us humanize the past through individual life histories.
bioarchaeology
Associate Curator Emma Derry and Biological Anthropologist Dr. Ashley McKeown record the dimensions of one of the colonists interred in the 1607 burial ground.
Bioarchaeology is the study of skeletal and biological remains found in archaeological contexts. Archaeologists have found hundreds of burials at Jamestown that have lain unmarked for centuries. Of these, a small proportion are selected for careful and respectful excavation, documentation, and analysis. Before excavation, research objectives are established with input from stakeholders including descendant communities, bioarchaeologists, and Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources. Skeletal remains buried at Jamestown are vulnerable to environmental deterioration and this is an important factor in the decision to proceed with excavations. Once approved, burial excavations are conducted out of public view, documented in situ, and analyzed in the Jamestown Rediscovery laboratory.
Burial archaeology includes archaeology of the grave itself, artifacts recovered, the analysis of skeletal remains, and historical research and genealogy. Where and how a person was buried tells us a great deal about the status of the deceased within their community, the circumstances of their death and burial, and when this occurred. Bioarchaeologists examine skeletal remains and use additional scientific techniques like isotope testing to reveal information about an individual’s life including their age at death, biological sex, any trauma or disease that left markers on the skeleton, as well as diet, physical activity, and migration. Historical documents about people who lived at Jamestown contain details that we can compare to the individuals we excavate, and occasionally where we have sufficient evidence, we name individuals for the purpose of historical context and to humanize the past. Thanks to advances in the analysis of ancient DNA, we can now use genetics and forensic genealogy to test these hypotheses.
One of archaeology’s main goals is to fill gaps in the historic record. The information encoded in human bone reveals details about life and death at Jamestown that cannot be learned from any other source. Bioarchaeology illuminates the lives of those absent from contemporary documents and allows us to discover and share details about the lives of individuals in a way that gives history a relatable human face.
The man buried in the chancel grave has features consistent with a European male between the ages of 38 and 44. His ancestry and sex were confirmed by DNA analysis. He suffered from dental caries (cavities) and lost several teeth while he was alive. The bones of his postcranial skeleton do not show signs that he engaged in heavy physical labor. Several of the long bones of his legs have woven bone formation from periostitis, which is a result of inflammation of the outer layer of bone and the surrounding periosteal membrane and is often a systemic response to infection. The skeletal remains were tested chemically to understand the individual’s status and origin. Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios suggest that this individual ate a diet that included wheat and animal protein. This individual’s moderately high lead levels suggest that he had some wealth, since many high status objects from the 17th century contain lead, which eventually made its way into peoples’ bones as they used items such as lead glazed ceramics. Click here for more information.
Excavated burials at the Statehouse site
community engagement & education
Public education and engagement are a priority of the Jamestown Bioarchaeology Project. Our goal is to make the research process as transparent as possible by taking you through the research journey with project updates and educational content.
Descendants often want to know if their DNA can help resolve mysteries from the past. There is a possibility that you could help, if your genealogy records fit very specific criteria. Because of the way your DNA is inherited, we are looking for either individuals (of any gender) who are related through an all-female-line, with no men in the genealogy chain leading back to the mother of the person of interest, or, an all-male-line (including yourself) with no women in the genealogy chain leading to the male person of interest. To confirm these scenarios, we will need a fully vetted, referenced, and documented genealogical chart to understand how your DNA could provide answers. If you believe you meet the criteria above and would like to participate in our research of Jamestown’s first settlers, please contact us at bioarchaeology@preservationvirginia.org.
If you are not a direct male or female line descendant, but do have a fully vetted, referenced, and documented genealogical chart showing how you are related to the individual of interest, that documentation could help us with our own forensic genealogical research. Please email genealogy@preservationvirginia.org to discuss further.
ethical principles
We are committed to carrying out ethical bioarchaeological research that represents and respects all European, African, and Indigenous persons whose stories intertwine here. In addition to basic ethical codes such as the Vermillion Accord on Human Remains adopted by the World Archaeological Conference in 1989 and minimum legal standards such as the Native American Graves Protection Act we strive to work with our various descendant and community stakeholders to determine how best to maintain the dignity of the deceased and respectfully conduct our research into their lives.
We respectfully acknowledge and honor the once living persons buried at Jamestown whose bodies are now skeletonized.
We pledge to undertake all research and educational initiatives with respect for the dignity of these individuals.
We are accountable to community stakeholders that connect with the land, the histories, and the people at Jamestown. We conduct research for educational purposes in order to learn more about this shared history and we aim to make the research process transparent.
We respectfully acknowledge that Jamestown was built on the land of the Paspahegh and Powhatan peoples. We are committed to meaningful collaboration with Indigenous communities.
We acknowledge that the histories of Jamestown embody the origins of English colonialism in North America, which resulted in the displacement and subjugation of Indigenous and African descended peoples. We work to equitably understand these histories to build an inclusive history at Jamestown.
