Posted on 07/26/2006 7:15:53 AM PDT by Theoden
RICHMOND, Va. - Sometime around 1610, archaeologists figure, a thirsty colonist in Jamestown set his brass pistol on the side of a well as he pulled up some water and accidentally knocked the weapon in.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Looks like they needed gun control then, too. :)
cool stuff
How far was the well from the old foundations of the Jamestown buildings? Anyone know?
If I was living on the edge of the earth as the colonists were, I'd go after that pistol. The well was only 15 feet deep. Hell, I'd pay an injun boy to tie a rope to his foot and climb down. "C'mere Geronimo. I'll trade you a pocket knife to get my pistol outta the well".
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I wondered where that shoe went...I told him the dog probably carried it off...
Hubby and I were touring Jamestown Island in May, and came across the onsite lab and well. We spoke with an onsite spokesperson (historian), and she was very excited, saying they had just found a green leaf in the well.
I found it hard to get too excited myself, but she explained that when plant life (the leaf) has been in water it sustains life. IOW, they felt the leaf was hundreds of years old. (hope I'm saying this right)
The well was about 150' from the onsite lab, which consisted of 2 archaeologists in rubber boots and aprons, using a large sieve and garden hose. They would pour the dregs from the well into the sieve and flush it with water.
It was such an exciting find for them that the local newspaper reporter and photographer showed up.
Interesting day for me.
ARRRGGG!!! We just returned from Va. Wanted to go to Jamestown but it was too darned hot so we did indoor activities or hung out at the beach! I've been wanting to go to Jamestown/Yorktown/Williamsburg for a long time too!
Definately go sometime. It's so neat. May was not hot at all.
We spent a week in the East, and the first 3 days toured DC ON FOOT. I was so sore by the time we arrived in Williamsburg/Jamestown, that I could hardly maneuver with stiff legs.
LOTS and LOTS of walking on that trip. There is Jamestown the "made for TV" site, and the REAL Jamestown - the island. Not much on the island - land, bricks, a few statues, the digs. But it's FABULOUS.
The entire island is littered with the foundations. I have a few pics that I'll post when I get home tonight. Stay tuned....
Too cool!
I last toured there in Dec. 2004; at the time they were talking about things found in a well. Presumably it was a different one.
They dug up the bricks out of the ground (finding the foundations), then re-buried them for preservation, and laid other bricks on top of the old bricks so one could see the shape of the buildings.
They said if they let the old bricks lay out in the weather, they would quickly deteriorate.
Great find !!
Thank you.
I'll bet he said, "Aw, shoot!"
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