Site Update: Final Thoughts

by Eric Deetz

During Time Team America's investigation at Fort Raleigh, we opened up two large excavation areas in Hariot Woods. In the first, we found a handful of European artifacts that could date to the late 16th century as well as some possible postholes that may be part of a structure. There is a chance that the features we found were not structural postholes but I remain confident they are man-made features rather than natural disturbances. Only more digging will answer the question. We also found a handful of Native American artifacts that could date from the same time period. The earlier archaeology at the science center showed that the English were using Native-made pots. However, the shards we found could have been discarded before the arrival of the English.

After the Time Team dig, the the First Colony Foundation continued excavating at the site for another week. In addition to the most exciting find of the week (fourteen copper alloy square plates), the archaeologists found a few more postholes. Apparently these were clear as day and there was no doubt as to what they were. They were classic postholes with visible postmolds in the center. In contrast, the soil stains that Time Team found were dark patches of sandy loam with no sign of a post mold. Does this negate the find? Not necessarily. While it's nice to have visible postmolds, many of the postholes at the 1607 fort at Jamestown also had no postmolds. There were both types within the remains of a single structure. Many times what happens to the structures in the years following abandonment has a big effect on what the archaeological remains look like.

In all, it was a very successful three days. We were able to contribute to an important ongoing research project by adding to the resources available to the First Colony Foundation. We were able to follow up — in a big way — on some finds made 13 years ago. Did we discover a part of the Lost Colony? Possibly. Did we help advance the research and make some new discoveries? Absolutely.