Re: Searching for Roanoke's lost colony
Another update.
Recent discoveries give new clues about early colonists
BY JESSICA BOWEN | SENTINEL STAFF
The Fort Raleigh National Historic Site has been home to several mysteries, including the fate of the Lost Colony.
And, now, recent discoveries by archaeologists from the First Colony Foundation (FCF) might provide clues to not only the exact location of the settlement, but also how the colonists and Indians lived.
A non-profit organization, FCF was formed in 2004 to conduct archaeological and historical research on the first English colonies on Roanoke Island.
Doug Stover, Fort Raleigh historian, explained that FCF's recent excavation is "one of the biggest discoveries" since the 1990's excavation, led by renowned archaeologist Ivor Noel Hume, when the remains of a scientific workshop, known as the Science Center, were discovered.
According to a press release sent by Stover, the most important findings of the May 2008 excavation were two shallow pits that contained artifacts possibly related to interaction between the Science Center and an Indian village on Roanoke Island.
In one pit, the discoveries included 14 copper plates lying edge-to-edge in the ground in a manner that Stover said suggested they had been strung together like a necklace.
"They were surrounded by oyster shells," he said, "and almost looked like somebody purposely placed them down."
The second pit held 17 white and one blue Venetian glass beads, an Indian red clay tobacco pipe, a blue glass trade bead, nails, and part of an iron knife.
Other findings uncovered during the two-week excavation were: a gray flint, lead ball, European potsherds, a Spanish Olive jar, and one crucible.
Some of the items were probably traded with the Indians, noted Stover.
Post-holes identifying a structure also were also found.
"Some seemed to disappear as they continued to dig, but two continued on and appear to be definitely post holes," Stover said. He said the site, which is the farthest away from the earthwork, might indicate a separate structure that was used "completely different from the fortification."
The discoveries all seemed to be things the colonists traded, and all seemed to be in one area, said Stover.
The items are currently being analyzed at the James River Institute for Archaeology by a combination of the Jamestown Foundation and English Colonists and Native American experts. According to Stover, once the discoveries' authenticity has been verified, they will be on display at Fort Raleigh, where Stover hopes to put the items in an exhibit.
To determine the verification and authenticity of each item, principal investigator and curator for the James River Institute for Archaeology, Nick Luccketti, said each item is sent to a laboratory, washed and treated with chemicals to cleanse and preserve, and then identified.
Each artifact is identified by what it is and when it was made. "One major component for identifying the pottery and glass beads found [at Fort Raleigh], is when they were made," Luccketti told the Sentinel.
To help identify the copper plates, the soil and organic material found with the plates have to undergo the radio-carbon dating process. All soil surrounding the copper plates will be put in a water filled tank that agitates the soil. "Material will float to the top and sink to the bottom, we can often identify plant names and find plant seeds," said Luccketti.
Another important part of identifying the artifacts is getting more information from additional archaeological work, said Luccketti. He said that he expects the verification process to be completed by the end of July.
Currently, while the verification is being completed, FCF is working on an archaeological report to be finished by July 4. The report will identify their findings and be submitted to the National park Service, said Stover.
FCF hopes to continue excavation work this fall.
252-480-2234
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