Jamestown Chancel Burial Excavation Overall Site

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .

These files consist of 3D scans of historical objects in the collections of the Smithsonian and may be downloaded by you only for non-commercial, educational, and personal uses subject to this disclaimer (https://3d.si.edu/disclaimer) and in accordance with the Terms of Use (https://3d.si.edu/termsofuse).

IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.

View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

Object Details

Collector: Jamestown Rediscovery (Preservation Virginia)

Summary: The soil in a burial shaft differs in color and composition from the surrounding undisturbed matrix because digging and re-filling a grave mixes soil layers. Excavations in the east end of the 1608 church revealed dark areas of soil showing four graves located within the chancel, a space commonly occupied by clergy, government officials, and the altar table. In the 17th century, burial in the chancel was reserved for high-status individuals. The four graves (below left) were originally dug between January of 1608 and 1617 when the church fell into disrepair. The space occupied by the chancel measured approximately 24’ by 12’.

Site Name: Historic Jamestowne

Data Source: NMNH - Anthropology Dept.

Field Identifier: B 2992C, C 3046C, D 170C, A 2993B

Credit Line: The Jamestown Chancel Burial investigation is a collaboration between the Smithsonian's Skeletal Biology Program, the Smithsonian 3D Digitization Program Office and Jamestown Rediscovery.