Archaeologists working on the construction of a new archaeology center in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia, have made a significant discovery: the remains of a 17th-century home. This groundbreaking find offers a rare glimpse into the early days of the colonial settlement.

The home, believed to have been built around 1660, is the oldest known colonial structure in the area. The excavation, which began last spring, revealed a 32- by 24-foot brick foundation, including a cellar, and a nearby well. These remnants were uncovered beneath a parking lot that had been in place since the 1960s.  

The artifacts unearthed at the site provide valuable insights into the lives of the home’s residents. Imported ceramics, diamond-shaped glass window panes, clay wig curlers, and the handle of a silver teaspoon suggest that the family was affluent. The presence of cowrie shells, often used as ornaments by enslaved people, indicates that the site may have been associated with slavery.

One particularly notable find was a nearly intact fragment of a window, which is the largest example recovered archaeologically at Colonial Williamsburg. The window, described as “the largest example recovered archaeologically at Colonial Williamsburg,” was carefully lifted from the site to preserve its fragile state.

While the exact identity of the home’s residents remains unknown, the discovery provides a unique opportunity to study a specific moment in Williamsburg’s history. The tightly dated nature of the house’s destruction allows for a “fantastic snapshot into everyday life in Williamsburg from a specific time period.”

The excavation of the 17th-century home is part of the ongoing work at Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum that aims to bring the history of the region to life. The discovery of this ancient structure adds to the museum’s rich collection of artifacts and provides visitors with a deeper understanding of the colonial era.

This significant find highlights the importance of archaeological research in preserving our historical heritage and uncovering the stories of the past. As archaeologists continue to explore the site, we can expect to learn even more about the lives of the people who lived in this 17th-century home and the broader context of Colonial Williamsburg.