Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists uncover life of 18th century politician and planter John Custis

[Disir]

Archaeologists are working to uncover more about the life of a 1700s politician, plantation-owner and horticulturist while digging in the 4-acre patch of land that sits on the corner of Francis Street and South Nassau Street.

The property, historically known as Custis Square, was owned by John Custis IV. Researchers were unable to explore the site until now.

“So in 1964 (archaeologists) found the house, but they recognized if they want to understand the garden landscape they just didn’t have the technology yet to do that and so they stopped,” said Jack Gary, Colonial Williamsburg’s director of archaeology. “Colonial Williamsburg banked the site if you will, kind of stored it away, used it as a pasture for livestock. So now we’ve got the opportunity to come back with new techniques and an eye toward understanding the garden landscape.”

Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists uncover life of 18th century politician and planter John Custis IV

This has the capacity to be interesting all over the place.

 

[Ringel05]

Archaeologists are working to uncover more about the life of a 1700s politician, plantation-owner and horticulturist while digging in the 4-acre patch of land that sits on the corner of Francis Street and South Nassau Street.

The property, historically known as Custis Square, was owned by John Custis IV. Researchers were unable to explore the site until now.

“So in 1964 (archaeologists) found the house, but they recognized if they want to understand the garden landscape they just didn’t have the technology yet to do that and so they stopped,” said Jack Gary, Colonial Williamsburg’s director of archaeology. “Colonial Williamsburg banked the site if you will, kind of stored it away, used it as a pasture for livestock. So now we’ve got the opportunity to come back with new techniques and an eye toward understanding the garden landscape.”

Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists uncover life of 18th century politician and planter John Custis IV

This has the capacity to be interesting all over the place.

New ground mapping technology is still providing archaeologists with a massive wealth of information including formally undiscovered remains buried under dense forest canopy and underground. It's taking a lot of guesswork out of digging.