With all of the archaeology at Historic Jamestowne, it was inevitable that human remains would be discovered. As it is, there were burials here, and some of the evidence even allows the experts to make educated guesses as to the actual person's identity.
For some of these digs, the skeletons are on display in the Archaerium, with impressive evaluations made by the scientists themselves. Perhaps you can see the Indian arrowhead that was imbedded in the man's leg. That's just one clue to the man's identity, but it's still incredible to me that human remains from 400 years ago - without DNA - can be identified with reasonable assurity.
 Photo by Hannah Davis |  Photo by Anna Crabtree |  Photo by Anna Crabtree |
One special case is the skull that was located in the kitchen and not in the regular gravesites. With study, the skull was determined to be that of a 14-year-old girl. Scientists named her "Jane" so they would remember that this was a human being. With modern technologies, her face has been reconstructed, again with reasonable assurance of its accuracy. Looking her in the face in a model and then seeing the physical skull mounted nearby is one of those moments in the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute that I hope to never forget (more on that in the future).
Jane's skull was found in the trash with other bones. These were the cast-off bones of animals that were prepared for eating during a period known as the Starving Time. Nothing illustrates the desperation of this time more than the presence of a human skull with evidence of blunt force trauma and the markings of a butcher knife.
Jane's skull was found in the trash with other bones. These were the cast-off bones of animals that were prepared for eating during a period known as the Starving Time. Nothing illustrates the desperation of this time more than the presence of a human skull with evidence of blunt force trauma and the markings of a butcher knife.
Jane has an amazing story to tell, and she is relatable as a real human being. We take too many things for granted in this world, but when we stare this teenager in the face and respect her situation, we must pause to appreciate the smallest things in life.
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