The remains of a colonial-era architecture from the late 1600s were lately discovered only two legs beneath a parking lot in Williamsburg, Virginia, at the page of a new historical center.
The remains were discovered at the site of the new Colonial Williamsburg archaeological complex, according to the Miami Herald. The outlet reported that researchers discovered a foundation, a 40-foot-deep well, and a cellar that are believed to be from one of the oldest recorded structures in Williamsburg.
According to The Miami Herald, the Williamsburg structure dates back to the Middle Plantation community, which historians believe could have been an “outgrowth” of colonial Jamestown prior to the founding of Williamsburg.
Jack Gary, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s director of archaeology, explained that the archaeological center is going to still be constructed where the remains were located, however, the building will feature glass flooring, which will enable visitors to view history beneath them.
Gary explained that the artifacts discovered at the archaeological site suggested that the colonial-era home was most likely the property of a” somewhat affluent” family. Some of the artifacts recovered at the site include a silver teaspoon, Chinese porcelain, and dozens of clay wig curlers. According to The Miami Herald, the house was most likely destroyed between 1737 and 1740, and some of the building’s components were later used for other projects.
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” This is an amazing site. In a video posted on YouTube, Gary stated,” The artifacts coming out of it are really significant for us to be able to tell the story of what life was like before Williamsburg was ever even founded. ” This house was here before then”.
The new museum has a “great opportunity,” according to Gary, by allowing visitors to look through the glass floor in response to the recent discovery of the remains of a colonial-era home.
” Our visitors will be able to literally stand on top of history, looking down at it, and really remind them that there is history literally beneath their feet everywhere they go in Williamsburg,” Gary said.
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Gary explained that a layer of sand will be used in preservation efforts because of the other components of the historic structure’s foundation that are visible only through the archaeology center’s floor.
” We were even able to be certain that all utilities were oriented around it,” Gary said. ” We were able to preserve the entire thing and still manage to construct the structure on top of it.”
According to the Miami Herald, Colonial Williamsburg’s new Colin G. and Nancy N. Campbell Archaeology Center is currently scheduled to open in 2026.
