America's Oldest Tombstone Unveils Secrets in New Discovery

A centuries-old tombstone from Jamestown reveals a shocking link showcasing the sophisticated trade networks of early American colonists! 🌐 #News #JamestownVA #Virginia #History

JAMESTOWN, VA – A remarkable discovery has revealed that America’s oldest surviving tombstone, marking the grave of a notable Jamestown colonist, probably hails from Belgium. This finding indicates that early American colonists had a well-established trade network with Europe, challenging previous assumptions about the colonists’ sourcing of grave markers.

Uncovering Jamestown’s Secrets

Recent research, detailed in a paper published in the International Journal of Historical Archaeology, employed an analysis of microfossils found in the limestone tombstone. These tiny remnants helped scientists establish both its age and geographic origins. According to Marcus M. Key, a geoscientist involved in the study, the ability of colonists to import black marble tombstones from Belgium was akin to today’s online shopping, though certainly much slower.

Jamestown, established in May 1607, was the first permanent English settlement in North America. For years, archaeologists have examined artifacts from this historic site, including the black tombstone measuring about 2.5 feet by 5.5 feet.

This stone is believed to have been placed in the floor of Jamestown’s second church around 1627, likely following the death of Sir George Yeardley, who served as Virginia’s governor.

During the 1640s, the tombstone was relocated during church renovations and remained lost to history for over 250 years. It was rediscovered in 1901, subsequently repaired, and moved to the chancel of the Jamestown Memorial Church, which was constructed in 1907 at the site of three 17th-century churches.

A centuries-old tombstone from Jamestown reveals a shocking link showcasing the sophisticated trade networks of early American colonists! — *Photo courtesy the International Journal of Historical Archaeology.*

The Science Behind the Tombstone

In ongoing excavation efforts at Jamestown Memorial Church, archaeologists have cleaned and restored the gravestone. Carvings on the stone suggest it may have been adorned with brass inlays, possibly including an image of a gentleman in armor, leading researchers to conclude it likely marked the grave of a knight, specifically Yeardley.

While commonly referred to as a black marble tombstone, it is actually made from limestone; at the time, the stone industry classified any polished rock as marble. The recent study aimed to pinpoint the stone’s origin to better understand 17th-century trade practices. Researchers turned to microfossils, which are microscopic remnants embedded in the limestone that can provide historical clues.

Samples taken from the tombstone contained six species of single-celled organisms that existed during specific periods. This analysis revealed the limestone is estimated to be between 336 and 340 million years old, with origins likely in Ireland or Belgium. Further investigation, drawing from similar colonial tombstones around the Chesapeake Bay, pointed specifically to Belgium as the source.

These black limestone markers likely arrived in the New World via London. One colonist, William Sherwood, had explicitly requested a marble tombstone from London in his will. His gravestone, made of black limestone, was also found in the Jamestown Memorial Church graveyard.

Researchers hypothesize that Sherwood’s stone was quarried and shaped in Belgium before being transported down the Meuse River, across the English Channel to London for further carving and installation of brass inlays, before finally being sent to Jamestown as ship ballast.

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Colonial Trade and Cultural Reflections

Shipping these gravestones would have been an expensive endeavor, even as ballast. However, wealthy colonists sought to honor their deceased with elegant black markers, reflecting a trend that was fashionable in England at the time. As successful Virginia colonists had lived in London, they were familiar with these contemporary customs and aimed to replicate them in the colonies.

In conclusion, this tombstone not only serves as a testament to individual lives but also highlights the complexities of early American trade and cultural practices, illustrating the deep connections between the New World and Europe in the 17th century.