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Tracing colonial trade: The mystery of Jamestown's Knight revealed
Decoding history through stone and fossils
Jamestown, Virginia, founded in 1607, stands as the first permanent English settlement in America. Through centuries, this historical site has undergone numerous archaeological and historical analyses. One recent study, spearheaded by Prof. Markus M. Key and Rebecca K. Rossi, delved into the origins of a significant artifact: Jamestown's black "marble" knight's tombstone. What they uncovered was both surprising and enlightening.
The Enigma of the Tombstone
Prof. Key's fascination with the provenance of lithic artifacts led him and his team on a quest to decipher the origins of colonial black "marble" tombstones in the Chesapeake Bay region. They discovered that the oldest such tombstone belonged to a knight from Jamestown, dated back to 1627. The key question they sought to answer was: How extensive was the trade network in the Chesapeake Bay during colonial times? The answer revealed a surprising transatlantic connection.
"Little did we realize that colonists were ordering black marble tombstones from Belgium like we order items from Amazon, just a lot slower," says Prof. Key.
A Testament to Wealth and Status
In the 17th century, affluent English colonists often used impressive tombstones to signify their wealth and status. The Jamestown knight's tombstone, installed in 1627 within the Jamestown Church, is a prime example. Despite its name, the tombstone was made of black limestone, not marble, as any stone capable of being polished was referred to as "marble" in historical documents.
The tombstone bore carved depressions, originally housing brass inlays, which were likely destroyed during Bacon's Rebellion in 1676. These inlays depicted a shield, an unfurled scroll, and an armored man, suggesting the tombstone belonged to a knight. Historical records narrow down the possible owners to two knights: Sir Thomas West and Sir George Yeardley.
The Mystery of Sir George Yeardley
Sir George Yeardley, born in 1588 in Southwark, England, played significant roles in Jamestown's early history. He served as Lt. Governor of Virginia and was appointed governor twice. Despite Prof. Key's thorough investigation, no DNA testing could conclusively link the bones at the original tombstone site to Yeardley. However, familial evidence suggests the tombstone did indeed belong to him, making it potentially the oldest surviving tombstone in North America.
The Provenance Puzzle
Prof. Key and his team faced the challenge of identifying the tombstone's origin. Given Jamestown's location on the coastal plain with no local rocks suitable for tombstones, the stone must have been imported. By analyzing microfossils within the stone, researchers identified species only found in Ireland or Belgium. Historical evidence pointed to Belgium as the most likely source, consistent with its long-standing reputation for producing black "marble" popular in England during Yeardley's lifetime.
"Due to the evolutionary process, biological species are much more unique through time and space than chemical elements or isotopic ratios," explains Prof. Key."
The study, published in the International Journal of Historical Archaeology, sheds light on the extensive trade networks of the Chesapeake Bay during colonial times. It also highlights the extraordinary lengths to which some colonists went to obtain goods and materials from Europe, enriching our understanding of early American history. Jamestown's knight's tombstone, with its transatlantic roots, stands as a testament to the enduring connections between the Old World and the New World. The story of Jamestown's knight's tombstone and its transatlantic journey connects with Scavo's vision by emphasising the blend of history, craftsmanship, and international connections. Just as the colonists sourced unique and high-quality materials from Belgium to symbolise status and legacy, Scavo offers archaeologically inspired apparel and adventure clothing that reflects a commitment to quality, durability, and sustainability. Like the tombstone, Scavo's products bridge the past with the present, merging ancient inspirations with modern-day needs for functional, eco-conscious clothing, delivered to customers worldwide.
PHOTO CREDITS: Jamestown Rediscovery (Preservation Virginia) in International Journal of Historical Archaeology (2024). DOI: 10.1007/s10761-024-00756-4
Read full article: https://phys.org/news/2024-09-reveals-america-oldest-tombstone-belgium.html