Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland

Doug Owsley is a renowned forensic anthropologist who works at the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of Natural History. Along with a team of historians and scientists, he investigated the archaeological sites of James Fort, Leavy Neck plantation, St. Mary’s City, and Harleigh Knoll. Owsley is the person who asked Walker to document his Chesapeake excavations, as they had worked together in the past. He uses an interdisciplinary approach in his excavations, combining archaeological evidence with advanced forensic techniques. Owsley believes that through his work, he is capturing the “legacy” of people who would have otherwise been lost to time; given the limited historical record from the 17th-century Chesapeake colonies, his discoveries are often the only record of these people’s existence. Though he usually cannot identify people by name, he still brings life to their stories, making him an appropriate partner for Walker in her project of fleshing out the Daily Lives of American Colonists.

JR1225B, an adolescent boy of European descent from early Jamestown, had skeletal remains that included an arrowhead embedded in his leg. The arrowhead suggested he was injured during a violent conflict between colonists and Indigenous people. However, his cause of death was not the wound itself, though an infection that resulted from it could have killed him. Walker’s explanation of this demonstrates the settlers’ vulnerability to injuries and illnesses, often exacerbated by the lack of medical knowledge and resources.

Forensic analysis of JR1225B’s bones further revealed he suffered from malnutrition, evident from the lines on his leg bones indicating periods of arrested growth and the porosity of his skull, which suggested a diet deficient in essential nutrients and a physically demanding lifestyle. Additionally, his clavicle showed signs of significant stress, indicating heavy labor or repetitive physical activity. The overall wear and stress on his bones suggest that despite his young age, JR1225B had already been doing hard physical labor, which was typical for many young settlers who had to contribute to the colony’s survival efforts.

Bartholomew Gosnold, known to archaeologists as “the Captain,” was identified through the discovery of his remains at Jamestown. Forensic analysis of his bones and the presence of a ceremonial leading staff in the grave indicated his high status and leadership role within the early colony—a contrast to many of the other subjects Walker considers, who often seem to have been of low socioeconomic status and to have led lives of heavy physical labor. His remains showed minimal signs of arthritis and moderate dental wear, suggesting he was in his mid-thirties at the time of death. The stable isotope analysis revealed that the Captain had recently arrived in Virginia, as his diet still reflected his English origins rather than the corn-heavy diet typical in the colonies. This aligns with historical records indicating Gosnold’s death occurred only a few months after the establishment of Jamestown—an example of Connecting the Historical Record to Archaeological Evidence. The Captain’s burial site, outside the fort’s walls, included shroud pins and a coffin reflective of the respect accorded to him by his peers. The location of his burial site may have been an attempt to display strength and stability within the struggling colony. Historically, Gosnold was one of the organizers of the first expedition to Jamestown. Walker speculates that he might have become a more prominent figure in American history were it not for his early death.

The indentured servant of Leavy Neck, a 15- or 16-year-old boy of European descent, was found buried beneath the cellar of William Neale’s plantation in Maryland. His remains, found in a shallow grave filled with household trash, were buried hastily and disrespectfully, reflecting the marginalization and low status of indentured servants in colonial society. Forensic analysis revealed that the boy suffered from significant physical strain, evident in the compression of his vertebrae and pronounced muscle attachments on his upper arms and shoulders consistent with heavy manual labor. His dental health was poor, with severe decay and numerous cavities pointing to a nutrient-deficient diet. A key aspect of his remains was the fracture in his arm apparently caused by a blunt object. This type of injury suggested that someone may have struck him, possibly due to anger over his work. Forensic anthropologist Doug Owsley speculated that the boy was mistreated and that an altercation led to his death. The hurried and secretive nature of his burial, with evidence showing a broken ceramic milk pan used as a digging tool, further supported this theory.

Philip and Anne Calvert were prominent members of Maryland society in the 17th century. Philip was the half-brother of Cecil Calvert, who founded the colony of Maryland. His teeth showed signs of moderate wear and two small cavities, indicating a diet that included both refined sugars and coarser grains. The presence of pipe facets on his teeth suggests that he was a smoker, which was common among men of his status during that time. Philip’s coffin was the largest and most elaborately constructed of the three, reflecting his significant social and economic status. He was in his mid-fifties when he died, probably of a heart attack or other sudden illness.

Anne Calvert was Philip’s first wife. Forensic analysis of her remains showed that she had osteoporosis, which likely caused significant pain and limited mobility in her later years. The examination of her hair revealed high levels of arsenic, suggesting she was treated with arsenic-based medicines common in the 17th century. Anne’s burial included shroud pins and a silk ribbon tied around her wrists, indicating the care taken in her burial and reflecting her high status.

Archaeologists found the lead coffin of an infant in the grave shaft where Anne and Philip were buried. Since Anne was in her sixties when she died, it is unlikely that the infant was their child. Historians theorize that it was the child of Philip’s second wife, Jane Sewell. The infant’s bones were well-preserved except for the lower leg bones, which had deteriorated due to moisture. The presence of copper pins and remnants of linen indicated the child had been carefully shrouded. The lack of significant dental development suggested the infant was five to six months old at the time of death. Analysis indicated the child suffered from rickets and possibly anemia—common ailments due to poor nutrition and lack of sunlight. That even the Calverts—some of the wealthiest colonists Walker considers—could not save the child points to the harsh realities of life in 17th-century American colonies.