News Release

Werowocomoco Archeological Overview and Assessment Now Complete

Eight archeologists carefully excavate a large pit at Werowocomoco that reveals dark stains in the earth. The stains indicate the presence of parallel trenches constructed in the Native site.

Werowocomoco Research Group

News Release Date: February 26, 2021 The Archeological Overview and Assessment (AOA) of Werowocomoco, residence of Powhatan and the site of the first meetings between Native leaders and English colonists, was completed in November 2020. The 183-page report summarizes the current state of archeological research and offers direction for future preservation and management of the archeological resources found on this historical site, which was acquired by the National Park Service in 2016.

Located on Virginia’s York River, Werowocomoco is an important component of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (Chesapeake Trail), whose staff manages the 264-acre property in collaboration with staff at Colonial National Historical Park in Yorktown, Virginia, and seven Virginia tribal partners. NPS is working diligently to provide public programming at Werowocomoco within the next few years.

"This report, our archeological findings, and the recommendations that follow are intended to be a step along the path and a guide for the NPS to follow," write the five authors of the AOA. The authors—Dr. David A. Brown and Thane H. Harpole, archeologists from the Fairfield Foundation; Dr. Martin Gallivan and Dr. Danielle Moretti-Langholtz, archeologist and cultural anthropologist, respectively, from the College of William and Mary; and Dr. E. Randolph Turner III, archeologist (retired) from the Virginia Dept. of Historic Resources—formed the Werowocomoco Research Group (WRG) in late 2002 and began to engage tribal communities through the development of the Virginia Indian Advisory Board.

The Archeological Overview and Assessment includes a summary of all past archeological excavations and research from 1978 up to the present-day work of the WRG. The report includes the findings of a "pedestrian survey” (walking survey) of all 264 acres, conducted for the purpose of uncovering potential archeological sites on the property, as well as a discussion of the location and condition of artifacts that were recovered prior to NPS ownership.

The AOA is much more than a compilation of archeological research, however. It shares the deep history of the Werowocomoco property and its surroundings—a significant Native center of power and spiritual leadership, as well as a residential area where indigenous peoples lived and worked in the four hundred years prior to European contact. It includes a detailed property history, relying on land tax records, deeds, wills, patents, and plats, to help us understand the development of the property over time, and how natural resources were utilized over the years. 

The authors conducted several interviews with tribal partners engaged in the project. Interview topics included identifying research priorities, addressing concerns regarding past excavations and collections management, establishing guidance for future surveys and excavations, and assessing the appropriate level of public engagement.

“NPS will use the report, which covers the significant periods of history and the archeological resources on-site, as a baseline for future research and management decisions,” said Steve Williams, acting superintendent of the Chesapeake Trail. The AOA will be used to inform geophysical surveys and future archeological testing in partnership with tribal partners, as well as help NPS managers understand the complexity of human experience on the landscape from thousands of years ago to present day, including Native life, early Colonial occupation, and the experiences of enslaved Africans and African Americans.

“Werowocomoco is considered one of the most significant archeological sites in the United States,” added Williams. “We are deeply honored to be the stewards of its cultural and natural resources so that they may be enjoyed for generations to come.”