Happy Volunteer Week! Volunteers at Jamestown are a vital part of our work, whether they help us stamp mail, sort artifacts in the lab, or talk to hundreds of visitors a day. We couldn't be more grateful for their dedication.
📸 Fort site volunteer Gary and lab volunteer Wanda
Virginia's America 250 commission has a very cool slogan: "America: Made in Virginia."
We would like to add our own take on that: "Virginia: Made in Jamestown." Trademark pending. (Not really.)
Image: Virginia 250 Commission.
We don’t know if archaeologists have theme songs but if so we suggest “Down in a Hole.”
One of the marked plates is stamped with “CH LENOX.” Beginning in 1605, the Dukes and Duchesses of Lennox and Richmond held the national patent for alnage. The alnager would appoint deputies to conduct inspections so the “CH” on our seals likely refers to the initials of the local deputy alnager!
You know that box of receipts you went through to prove you paid taxes? That existed in the 17th century too! It's an alnage seal. Alnage was a tax on textiles paid to the alnager, an officer of the Crown. The seal indicates the tax was paid.
The internet: “What were you like in the ‘90s?”
Us: “Obviously you mean the 1690s.”
Image: Historic Jamestowne/National Park Service.
Getting strong reality show vibes from this sign…
Hey, CBS/Jeff Probst…Looking for a location for the next season of “Survivor?” Give us a call.
Only six weeks in and our new boss is already drinking from this mug and forcing us to sit through a “Prison Mike” presentation AND a “Threat Level Midnight” screening.
IYKYK
#jamestownrediscovery #jamestown #threatlevelmidnight #theoffice
This image is a drawing of the Virginia Company of London's seal. It shows one woman standing and holding the hand of a woman who is kneeling. The word "Resvrges" is above them; the initial. "S.A.L.P." are below them.
Virginia Company of London founded on this day 420 years ago: 4/10/1606. It was charged w/ creating English settlements along part of North America's east coast.
Its first colony, established in May 1607: Jamestown.
Image: Virginia Company of London's original seal. Internet Archive Book Images.
Join us on Saturday to help kick-off the 2026 excavation season. Find the full schedule at historicjamestowne.org/visit/calend...
Are you following the Artemis II space mission?
This shipping tag, stamped “Yamestown,” probably marked a container of goods shipped from England. In 2007-Jamestown’s 400th anniversary-this tag went to the Int’l Space Station & back aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis, covering 5,809,363 nautical miles.
If you come to Opening Day on Saturday, you'll see two wells.,
If you see two wells, you may witness the moment of discovery.
If you witness the moment of discovery, you may make archaeology your entire personality!
Here's a quick little Dig Deeper on our Archaearium excavations, which we recently closed because of construction! Check it out and make sure to subscribe: https://youtu.be/G4acqmCC_8E?si=t7dIK6c4DNc66Wf9
The entry on Virginia in this @usatoday.com piece mentions "ongoing archaeological work." That work takes place right here at Historic Jamestowne, and you can visit & see archaeologists doing it each and every day! If you plan to be in Virginia during America 250, make sure we're your first stop!
This color photo shows three archaeologists working in a dig pit with the sun shining on them.
Archaeologists at Jamestown Rediscovery are literally uncovering new history every single day, and have been for over 30 years. Visit us to see them dig and listen to them talk about what they’re finding.
Jamestown Rediscovery: Finding New History Every Day. (Hmmm…new marketing slogan alert?)
It's the final countdown to apply for the Jamestown Rediscovery Field School! Applications are due Friday 😮 More info is at historicjamestowne.org/archaeology/archaeological-field-school.
Actual video of our new Executive Director psyching up our staff for another outstanding week at Jamestown Rediscovery.
Archaeology has been ongoing here since 1994, unearthing over 5 million artifacts so far. Come see us and watch real live archaeologists practice their craft!
Just soak in the beauty of Historic Jamestowne.
It's our birthday! Way back in 1994, Bill Kelso opened the first excavation unit for the Jamestown Rediscovery Project, digging between the church tower and the James River. Within three seasons, they uncovered enough evidence to prove James Fort existed on dry land. And look at us now!
No big whup, just Williamsburg, Virginia being named a top-ten travel destination in the entire U.S. and Jamestown getting a mention in the write-up.
You need to visit here. Like...now. Seriously. Just do it. Go pack a bag and make a trip here immediately. We'll wait.
Why aren't you here yet?
Recently discovered documents in our archive describe Captain John Smith staring out at the James River and worrying he’d dropped his cell phone somewhere out there. That was the basis for this statue erected in 1907 on the 300th anniversary of Jamestown’s founding.
He never did find his phone.
Jamestown Rediscovery’s division directors met today to discuss ongoing projects, upcoming events, budget, and more.
This may look like just another meeting, but it’s HUNDREDS of years of professional experience all in one room! Not than any of them are old. Please don’t tell them we said that.
BREAKING NEWS: Police have identified several suspects in the Great KitKat Caper of 2026 among Jamestown Rediscovery employees. All professed their innocence when reached for comment but were also suspiciously chewing at the time.
Jamestown Rediscovery: We’re so cool, we made up our own word (“archaearium”) to name our museum.
Calling college students, recent grads, and anyone who wants to be an archaeologist when they grow up! Field school applications are due April 10. Learn archaeology theory and methodology at Jamestown this summer. Learn more at historicjamestowne.org/archaeology/archaeological-field-school
An archaeologist stands in front of a wooden screen with artifacts in it, two men are filming with cameras
Set your DVR! Tune in to see Jamestown archaeology on WAVY News 10 (@wavynews10.bsky.social) tonight at 6pm for their America 250 segment
