News Flash

Port Hampton Lecture
Thinking Inside the Box: Four Early Jamestown Leaders Lost and Found
Monday, November 7, 7-8 pm
Museum members free, non-members $5
In 2010, Jamestown archaeologists discovered the site of the earliest known Protestant church in North America. Four graves and a mysterious silver box were found hidden within the Church chancel. Jamestown Rediscovery's historical archaeologist Dr. William Kelso will discuss the archaeological context, forensic study, high tech analysis, and theories surrounding the mysterious silver box, the identity of these four high status burials and the significance of this world class discovery.

Dr. William M. Kelso is the Director of Archaeology at Historic Jamestowne. He holds a Master’s Degree in Early American History from the College of William and Mary, a Ph.D. from Emory University, honorary doctorates in Philosophy, Archaeology and Science, and is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London. In 2012, Queen Elizabeth II named him as a “Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire,” (CBE) one of the highest orders of chivalry.

For more than 50 years, Dr. Kelso has pursued Early American historical archaeology serving as director of archaeology at Carter's Grove, Kingsmill and for fourteen years at Thomas Jefferson's homes, Monticello, and Poplar Forest.

In 1994, Dr. Kelso began archaeological excavations at Jamestown for Preservation Virginia in search for the remains of the 1607 James Fort, thought lost to James River erosion. Kelso and his remarkably talented team of archaeologists, curators and conservators soon discovered the lost Fort and continue to explore its mysteries. He is the author of numerous books on the historical archaeology of British Colonial sites including the award-winning Jamestown, The Buried Truth.