SYSTEMWIDE ARCHEOLOGY INVENTORY PROGRAM

Colonial National Historical Park completed the five year survey of the Jamestown Unit through a cooperative agreement with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and the College of William and Mary. Archeological oversight was provided by the Valley Forge Center for Cultural Resources. This multidisciplinary project was designed to identify the archeological resources and to place them in their geological, environmental, and social context. Concurrent studies were conducted to identify in-ground resources through extensive remote sensing followed by limited excavation, geological and environmental reconstruction of the past 12,000 years of Jamestown Island, a re-analysis of the collections from prior studies, and an exhaustive historical study.

Excavation within the town focused on reevaluating previously identified structures to determine their functions and occupation dates, and investigation of the "industrial" area adjacent to Pitch and Tar Swamp resulting in new interpretations on the development of the settlement. An island-wide survey identified 58 historic and prehistoric sites including early outlying sites from Jamestown; two of them will receive more testing during the spring of 1998. Reanalysis of the artifact collections from past investigations substantially contributed to the project.

Contextual studies were extensively used to place the archeological resources in perspective. The geological study indicated that Jamestown Island had been more stable in the past centuries than previously thought, increasing the likelihood of site preservation. The paleobotanical study provided the local environmental context for the development of English lifeways in Virginia. All site and environmental data has been incorporated in the park's GIS system for analytical and management efficiency. An exhaustive historical study has aided in providing the social context; owners of property and dates of transfers allow analysis of the colony's economic system in fine detail. Over 1128 historical references have been annotated and form a core for future studies.

Educational activities were an important focus of the project. The park hosted both regular and advanced field schools for students and developed and presented remote sensing training courses. The project also hosted a special training class for park interpreters on interpreting archeology to the public. One dissertation has been produced from the study, along with the Jamestown Island survey report. An additional 8 volumes are expected to be completed during FY98.