Jamestown

The first permanent English settlement in the United States, in present-day Tidewater, Virginia. It was founded in 1607 by 105 settlers and served for a time as the capital of Virginia. James Fort, as it was first called, was built 15 miles inland from the Chesapeake Bay, on a swampy island in the James River on the site of previous native occupation. Many structures have been found as well as a huge inventory of 17th century artifacts. The earliest settlers subsisted by fishing, trade with natives and farming of both local (maize, squash, pumpkin) and imported staples. Houses from that time were of wattle-and-daub with thatched roofs, giving way later to structures of locally made brick. Pottery and glassmaking were other local industries. In 1699, Williamsburg became the capital of the colony, after which Jamestown went into decline and was ultimately abandoned. The excavations have documented early colonial life.

The first successful British settlement in America, Jamestown was founded in 1607 by 105 settlers and served for a time as the capital of Virginia. James Fort, as it was first called, was built 15 miles inland from the Chesapeke Bay, on a swampy island in the James River on the site of previous native occupation. A systematic excavation of the town was begun in 1934 and continued intermittently until 1956. Altogether 10 of the total 25 hectares have been studied, 140 structures recorded, and a huge inventory of 17th-century artefacts amassed. The earliest settlers subsisted by fishing, trade with natives and farming of both local (e.g. maize, squash, pumpkin) and imported staples. Houses from that time were of wattle and daub with thatched roofs, giving way later to structures of locally made brick. Pottery and glassmaking were other local industries. In 1699 Williamsburg became the capital of the colony, after which Jamestown went into decline and was ultimately abandoned.