Now the perception of the Virginia colony's place in U.S. history may be changed with a new discovery -- unusual artifacts. Archaeologists found these in Jamestown. The treasure trove contains tiny tobacco seeds, a loaded pistol, and an imposing ceremonial spear.
a 400 year old tobacco seed 9
These are being excavated since 2005 from a 17th-century well in the colony. The colony celebrates its 400th anniversary this year. The artifacts have been preserved underwater for almost four centuries and thus did not get much damaged, as were not exposed to air. Steve Archer, a botanical archaeologist with the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation informed this.
Two of the three tobacco seeds found seem to be badly charred before they fell, or were thrown, into the well. But, the other one was in a very good condition.
Archer said,
As far as I'm aware, there aren't any other early colonial examples of tobacco seeds. They were learning new things to eat. This adds a different interpretation to [our understanding of] how they lived.
Besides this, Archer also found evidence of more than 30 other plant species, nearly all of which were native plants. This suggests that the colonists were trying to become less dependent on England imported supplies.
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