William Kelso
Encyclopedia
William M. Kelso often referred to as Bill Kelso, is an American archaeologist specializing in Virginia's colonial period. Currently he serves as the Director of Research and Interpretation for the Preservation Virginia Jamestown Rediscovery
project. Kelso earned a B.A. in History from Baldwin-Wallace College
, an M.A. in Early American History from the College of William and Mary
, and a Ph.D in Historical Archaeology from Emory University
. He has served as director of archaeology at Carter's Grove
, Monticello
, and Poplar Forest
, as well as Commissioner of Archaeology for the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission. During his time at Monticello, he was one of the first to make early colonial slave life the focus of archaeological research.
In 1994, Kelso began directing excavations on Jamestown Island at the behest of Preservation Virginia, despite the widely-held belief that the original location of the first permanent English settlement in the United States had washed into the James River. It was not long before the Jamestown Rediscovery archaeologists uncovered the footprint of the fort's southern palisade.
, Captain Ralph Hamor, and John Smith. Upon analysis of these sources and other buildings, the Jamestown Rediscovery archaeologists discovered the postholes of the original fort; discoloration in the soil left the evidence of the palisades and bulwarks that once formed the fort wall. After expanding the dig, the archaeologists were able to validate that the Jamestown Fort had only begun to wash into the James River, but was instead covered inadvertently by a Confederate earthwork during the American Civil War
. Throughout this excavation, the team discovered evidence of fort buildings, artifacts, and the remains of settlers.
s, bricklayers, masons
, perfumer
s, tailors, fishermen, coopers
, blacksmiths, glassmakers, carpenter
s, and tobacco pipe makers are among the dominant professions for which there is archaeological evidence.
Jamestown Rediscovery
Jamestown Rediscovery is an archaeological project of Preservation Virginia investigating the remains of the original settlement at Jamestown established in the Virginia Colony beginning on May 14, 1607. The period under study was from 1607-1698.Preservation Virginia archaeologist Dr...
project. Kelso earned a B.A. in History from Baldwin-Wallace College
Baldwin-Wallace College
Baldwin–Wallace College is a liberal arts college in Berea, Ohio, founded in 1845. It is home to the Riemenschneider-Bach Institute and the Baldwin–Wallace Conservatory of Music, an internationally renowned music school. The college is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Students receive a...
, an M.A. in Early American History from the College of William and Mary
College of William and Mary
The College of William & Mary in Virginia is a public research university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States...
, and a Ph.D in Historical Archaeology from Emory University
Emory University
Emory University is a private research university in metropolitan Atlanta, located in the Druid Hills section of unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, United States. The university was founded as Emory College in 1836 in Oxford, Georgia by a small group of Methodists and was named in honor of...
. He has served as director of archaeology at Carter's Grove
Carter's Grove
Carter's Grove, also known as Carter's Grove Plantation, is a 750 acre plantation located on the north shore of the James River in the Grove Community of southeastern James City County in the Virginia Peninsula area of the Hampton Roads region of Virginia in the US.The plantation was built for...
, Monticello
Monticello
Monticello is a National Historic Landmark just outside Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. It was the estate of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence, third President of the United States, and founder of the University of Virginia; it is...
, and Poplar Forest
Poplar Forest
Poplar Forest was Thomas Jefferson's plantation and plantation house in what is now Forest, Virginia, near Lynchburg. He designed it and treated it as a private retreat, working on it from 1806 until his death 20 years later. "It is the most valuable of my possessions," Jefferson once wrote a...
, as well as Commissioner of Archaeology for the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission. During his time at Monticello, he was one of the first to make early colonial slave life the focus of archaeological research.
In 1994, Kelso began directing excavations on Jamestown Island at the behest of Preservation Virginia, despite the widely-held belief that the original location of the first permanent English settlement in the United States had washed into the James River. It was not long before the Jamestown Rediscovery archaeologists uncovered the footprint of the fort's southern palisade.
The James Fort
Jamestown Rediscovery's incredible discovery lies in the correction of a historical myth previously thought to be true – that the site of the original Jamestown settlement of 1607 had washed into the James River long ago. The archaeologists used primary source material to estimate the location of the fort on Jamestown Island, such as the Zuniga Map, created by a Spanish spy of the same name, and the accounts of original colonists, such as William StracheyWilliam Strachey
William Strachey was an English writer whose works are among the primary sources for the early history of the English colonisation of North America...
, Captain Ralph Hamor, and John Smith. Upon analysis of these sources and other buildings, the Jamestown Rediscovery archaeologists discovered the postholes of the original fort; discoloration in the soil left the evidence of the palisades and bulwarks that once formed the fort wall. After expanding the dig, the archaeologists were able to validate that the Jamestown Fort had only begun to wash into the James River, but was instead covered inadvertently by a Confederate earthwork during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. Throughout this excavation, the team discovered evidence of fort buildings, artifacts, and the remains of settlers.
Captain Bartholomew Gosnold
The Jamestown Rediscovery project recovered and cataloged the remains of many of the original Jamestown settlers. The skeletal remains of one of the original colonists, was found separated from the other burials and located in a place of honor near one of the fort's gates. The individual had been buried in a coffin, along with a staff signifying leadership.Content from pages 107 - 108. It is conjectured that this is Captain Bartholomew Gosnold, one of the organizers of the colony. While inquiries continue regarding who this individual is, even going as far as genealogical study in England, the actual identity of this settler may never be found.The Well, Artifacts, and Professions
Kelso’s book, co authored with colleague Dr. Beverly Straube, entitled Jamestown Rediscovery: 1994-2004 includes an in-depth study of the artifacts uncovered during the Jamestown excavations. The discovery of a well within the limits of the Jamestown fort is less critical for understanding the colonial attempt to find a fresh water source and more important due to the artifacts found in the well. Wells that had stopped providing (or never provided) drinkable water were frequently filled in with the refuse of daily life, which gave the archaeologists the opportunity to look at a concentrated collection of stratified artifacts. Tobacco pipes, pottery sherds, and combat armor all help date the excavation site to the early 17th century, giving even more support to the positive identification of the fort. In this case, curator Beverly Straube was able to substantiate evidence regarding the professional work done by the original settlers. GoldsmithGoldsmith
A goldsmith is a metalworker who specializes in working with gold and other precious metals. Since ancient times the techniques of a goldsmith have evolved very little in order to produce items of jewelry of quality standards. In modern times actual goldsmiths are rare...
s, bricklayers, masons
Masonry
Masonry is the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together by mortar; the term masonry can also refer to the units themselves. The common materials of masonry construction are brick, stone, marble, granite, travertine, limestone; concrete block, glass block, stucco, and...
, perfumer
Perfumer
A perfumer is a term used for an expert on creating perfume compositions, sometimes referred to affectionately as a Nose due to their fine sense of smell and skill in producing olfactory compositions...
s, tailors, fishermen, coopers
Coopers
Coopers may refer to:* Coopers, California, former name of Cooper, Monterey County, California* Coopers' Company and Coborn School in Upminster, UK* plural of cooper...
, blacksmiths, glassmakers, carpenter
Carpenter
A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....
s, and tobacco pipe makers are among the dominant professions for which there is archaeological evidence.
Published works
- Jamestown: The Buried Truth. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2006.
- (with B. Straube) Jamestown Rediscovery: 1994-2004. Richmond: APVA Preservation Virginia, 2004.
- (with J. Deetz) Archaeology at Monticello. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2002.
- Kingsmill Plantations, 1619-1800: Archaeology of Country Life in Colonial Virginia. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 1984.