Local newspapers are valuable because they often provide a local story that illustrates a large point. That’s what this story does. While the political and scientific debates rage about global warming – or more accurately, climate change – the people who manage sites like Jamestown Rediscovery are in the process of finding new ways to enhance the preservation of the sites they are responsible for.
A quick refresher – there are actually two “Jamestown” sites in James City County, Virginia. They are only about ½ mile apart.
Jamestown Settlement is an indoor and outdoor museum run by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. It features displays and artifacts associated with the Jamestown colony, and includes replicas of the three ships that brought the first settlers to the colony in 1607, along with a replica of the iconic triangular fort and interpretations of Native American life at the time of the settlement.
Historic Jamestowne, on the other hand, is a site managed jointly by the National Park Service and the APVA (Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities). It’s on Jamestown Island at the site of the original settlement, and is the location of ongoing archeological and historical research about this early settlement.
“Jamestown Rediscovery” is the name of a project focused on investigating and preserving this important part of early American history. The archeologists who are part of this project have two goals: to enhance preservation and further public understanding of the history that occurred at this location.
The focus of this article (and much of the current research) is the 17th-century church tower and its surrounding churchyard. In the article, Dave Givens, director of archeology for this project, commented:
There’s a small aspect of sea level rise/climate change in that the two-to-four inches of rain that we’re getting in single events, which are coming more and more often, inundate the sites specifically around the church, which is on fairly flat ground.
In 2013 and 2014, several local preservation organizations worked together to help safeguard the church tower. However, because there is no roof, water gets inside the tower and damages the mortar and bricks. Because the site isn’t properly draining, water collects in the brick structure. Standing water can be particularly destructive when the temperatures dip below freezing. According to the article, there are several aspects to the problem: increased inundation, land subsidence, extreme storm events, a rising aquifer, and aging infrastructure.
The current effort involves adding drains to the church site; however, the multiple historic burials on the site complicate the project. The archeologists on this project want to move their work forward while respecting the human remains they find. The project director commented:
We can work in the context of the public being around us, but also honor and sort of shield the public from the excavation of human remains because it’s not a circus. We honor those who lived and died at the beginning of our nation.
Another focus of the project’s research is DNA analysis of the remains that are discovered. Recovered burial remains go to a DNA lab for analysis. The science of this process has improved dramatically over the last decade. According to the project’s director,
When we first started dabbling in DNA/ancient DNA, it was 10 grand just to sequence an individual. Now it’s less than a thousand.
This effort kicked up last year, when the historic site was placed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s list of America’s most endangered places.
According to the project’s director, the goal of the project is not to just find things. He commented:
It’s not what you find; it’s what you find out. Part of the finding out is the journey that you go through to identify the people and working with descendant communities. And then opening that world up to our visitors.”
I like this last statement. It summarizes what I believe about history — that it’s not just about discovering information about the past, but it’s about interpreting it and using it to create a historical narrative.
I agree. I prefer historical narrative to just the facts, ma'am. The project ought to be very interesting and instructive.
Interesting, Karen. I’ve begun an in-depth study of George Eastman, his family history, his life and ultimately, his many contributions to the Rochester, New York community. George’s home is about 2 miles from my home! More soon. 😎