Archaeologists identified the site of the original 1607 James Fort in 1994, contradicting the belief that the river had completely consumed it.
Forensic analysis of a skull found on-site provided physical evidence of survival cannibalism during the winter of 1609-1610.
The 1608 brick church tower is the oldest surviving structure built by English settlers in North America.
Over three million artifacts have been recovered from the site since the Jamestown Rediscovery project began.
The site includes a commemorative statue of Pocahontas, a pivotal figure in the early interaction between the Powhatan Confederacy and the settlers.
Archaeological findings suggest the settlers lived in a far more diverse environment than historical records initially indicated.
The original fort was shaped as a triangle to provide defensive advantages against potential threats.
Historic Jamestowne is the archaeological site of the first permanent English settlement in North America, established in 1607. It is jointly managed by the National Park Service and Preservation Virginia. The site features the ongoing archaeological excavation of the original 1607 James Fort, which was long thought to have been lost to river erosion. Visitors can view the brick 17th-century church tower, the only seventeenth-century structure still standing above ground at the site. The Archaearium museum displays thousands of artifacts recovered from the site, including personal belongings of the early settlers. Interpretive trails wind through the town site, offering views of the James River and the reconstructed fort walls. The site serves as both an active research facility and a public memorial to the cultural convergence of English, Virginia Indian, and African peoples. Excavations have uncovered evidence of the 'starving time' winter of 1609-1610, providing forensic insights into the colony's early survival struggles.
The 17th-century church tower framed against the backdrop of the James River.
Combine your visit with the neighboring Jamestown Settlement museum for a complete historical perspective.
Walk the half-mile loop trail along the riverbank to see the original shoreline and excavation areas.
Use the provided archaeological site maps to track which trenches are currently being worked on by researchers.
Do not mistake the nearby Jamestown Settlement (living history museum) for the original archaeological site; they are separate entities.
Open daily year-round, except for major winter holidays.
Respect all ongoing excavation zones; do not touch archaeological artifacts or features.
