Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Ships Unearthed in Virginia Offer Glimpse of Colonial Era
MSN ^ | May 6, 2018 | Emily Cochrane, The New York Times

Posted on 05/06/2018 9:31:06 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet

OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Nestled in centuries of dirt and debris, several well-preserved ships and artifacts have been unearthed that offer a glimpse of life at what was once one of the busiest ports in the North American colonies.

At the site for Robinson Landing, a new townhouse and condominium development along the Potomac River here, excavations have uncovered the protruding, curved wooden bones of the ships. Three ships were scuttled and buried here centuries ago as Alexandria sought to expand its land into the deeper waters of the river.

“It tells us a lot about the resourcefulness of our predecessors, how pragmatic they were,” said Dan Lee, the city historian in the Office of Historic Alexandria. “They don’t put ships in there because they’re sentimental, but because they needed something and they found a way to do it.”

The three ships, buried just feet from each other, were an unusual find in a neighborhood where residents have fought for decades to preserve the remains of everyday artifacts unearthed in construction since the 1960s. In 2015, the remains of a ship were found a block away in the construction site for a hotel, but archaeologists were shocked earlier this year to find the three ships so close to one another.

“It’s a microcosm for the development of maritime-related cities,” Eleanor Breen, the acting chief city archaeologist, said of the finds. “It shows that the efforts to build out the land and try to make Alexandria an economically viable town were fairly successful.”

The ships, she said, are by far the most striking discovery for the local community. But the urban archaeologists, who are required by city law to be present on any construction site, also found a trove of ordinary items.....

(Excerpt) Read more at msn.com ...


TOPICS: History; Science
KEYWORDS: alexandria; archaeology; colonials; godsgravesglyphs; hardtack; oldtown; robinsonlanding; ships; shipsbiscuit; virginia

1 posted on 05/06/2018 9:31:06 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

*ping*


2 posted on 05/06/2018 9:40:17 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj ("It's Slappin' Time !")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: nutmeg

bookmark


3 posted on 05/06/2018 9:41:42 PM PDT by nutmeg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: 2ndDivisionVet
And steps from what is possibly the earliest discovered bakery, they found a ship biscuit: an indestructible combination of flour, salt and water designed to sustain sailors on their voyages.

Mmmm, mmmm... hardtack

4 posted on 05/07/2018 12:57:40 AM PDT by piasa (Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: piasa

Some day someone’s going to find a 300 year old Twinkie


5 posted on 05/07/2018 12:59:45 AM PDT by piasa (Attitude adjustments offered here free of charge)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: piasa

Or a 300 year old fruitcake.


6 posted on 05/07/2018 5:01:30 AM PDT by EvilCapitalist (It's Ok to be white.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: piasa
The lesser of two weevils.
7 posted on 05/07/2018 5:11:42 AM PDT by mewzilla (Has the FBI been spying on members of Congress?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: EvilCapitalist
Or a 300 year old fruitcake.

My home made fruitcakes won't last 300 years. Made in November, they are totally devoured by New Year's Day.

8 posted on 05/07/2018 5:38:27 AM PDT by nuke_road_warrior (Making the world safe for nuclear power for over 20 years)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: EvilCapitalist

Nah, liberals just don’t live that long.


9 posted on 05/07/2018 5:40:42 AM PDT by ManHunter (You can run, but you'll only die tired... Army snipers: Reach out and touch someone)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: nuke_road_warrior

My brother and I have exchanged the same fruitcake for Christmas for 27 years.

It was a really cheap fruitcake and still looks edible.

It’s all in how we wrap it. I work in the building material chemical industry and he’s a metal shop teacher.

Last year, I gave it to him packed in 150 lbs of rocks and glue.


10 posted on 05/07/2018 6:12:48 AM PDT by cyclotic ( WeÂ’re the first ones taxed, the last ones considered and the first ones punished)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: EvilCapitalist

“Or a 300 year old fruitcake.”

There is only one fruitcake. It has been around the world many, many times and it is much older that 300 years.


11 posted on 05/07/2018 6:18:48 AM PDT by READINABLUESTATE
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: nuke_road_warrior
Made in November, they are totally devoured by New Year's Day.

Are you sure about the "devoured" part? My experience is one bite, then the rest goes quietly into the garbage.

12 posted on 05/07/2018 7:05:42 AM PDT by super7man (Madam Defarge, knitting, knitting, always knitting)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: READINABLUESTATE

I assume you’re talking about Hillary Clinton?


13 posted on 05/07/2018 7:55:50 AM PDT by EvilCapitalist (It's Ok to be white.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: fieldmarshaldj; StayAt HomeMother; Ernest_at_the_Beach; 1ofmanyfree; 21twelve; 24Karet; ...
Thanks fieldmarshaldj.

14 posted on 05/07/2018 8:19:57 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (www.tapatalk.com/groups/godsgravesglyphs/, forum.darwincentral.org, www.gopbriefingroom.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

Whoa! I like this!


15 posted on 05/07/2018 8:32:40 AM PDT by Monkey Face (In this world intelligent people are full of doubts while the stupid ones are full of confidence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Monkey Face

The old ships are cheap too — they’re having a sail.


16 posted on 05/07/2018 8:46:36 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (www.tapatalk.com/groups/godsgravesglyphs/, forum.darwincentral.org, www.gopbriefingroom.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

*groan*

That was punny, SC!

;o]


17 posted on 05/07/2018 10:09:18 AM PDT by Monkey Face (In this world intelligent people are full of doubts while the stupid ones are full of confidence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: super7man
Not mine, I get multiple requests for more fruitcakes and requests for recipes every holiday season. Hint, they're a white fruitcake (think pound cake base).
18 posted on 05/07/2018 10:51:38 AM PDT by nuke_road_warrior (Making the world safe for nuclear power for over 20 years)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Monkey Face
;^) I'm lateen out the real me.

19 posted on 05/08/2018 10:01:47 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (www.tapatalk.com/groups/godsgravesglyphs/, forum.darwincentral.org, www.gopbriefingroom.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson