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Photograph of a newly discovered slate from Jamestown by Michael Lavin. The lines have been enhanced by rubbing fine chalk into them. Courtesy of Preservation Virginia.
They've done it again. The archaeological team at Jamestown has discovered a piece of slate with writing and drawings on it from a well that may be the first one that John Smith dug. There's no age on it yet, but the thought that it could have been the doodle pad of one of the earliest English colonists in Virginia is exciting.
The tablet is two-sided and has drawings on both sides showing flowers, birds that appear to be eagles and green herons, and drawings of men in period costume. According to Bill Kelso, director of the excavations, there are also images of rampant lions, which, because they are associated with coats of arms, suggest that the owner of the slate was somehow connected to nobility. There is cryptic writing as well. All that is known at this time is that it says, “A MINON OF THE FINEST SORTE.” Above that is inscribed, “EL NEV FSH HTLBMS 508.”
NASA was asked to use sophisticated micro CT to clarify the images to help discover when and where they might have been created. The results of that study will be forthcoming.
Shown below are the two sides of the slate with figures and features highlighted. Images courtesy of Preservation Virginia.
See the attached links for more information.
For more information, visit www.apva.org.
See previous posting on this well excavation here.
For great background on Jamestown and the Powhatan, including a flyover of Jamestown and Werowocomo, click here.
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