42 pages • 1 hour read
Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland
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Themes
The Role of Science in Understanding Human History
The text uses a variety of scientific disciplines to uncover and analyze aspects of past human life. By employing disciplines such as forensic anthropology, archaeology, and advanced technological methods, Walker illustrates how science can unlock the secrets of human history, providing a clearer picture of the lives and deaths of people who lived centuries ago.
One example is the analysis of JR1225B. Through excavation and study, scientists could piece together not only the boy’s physical condition but also aspects of his life and the challenges he faced. Walker describes how soil stains and the positioning of artifacts even helped archaeologists determine the layout of the original settlement, including the presence of a palisade wall and the arrangement of buildings, giving insight into the living conditions and social structure of early Jamestown. JR1225B’s is the first case history Walker considers, underscoring that forensic science and archaeology can help reconstruct not only the lives of individuals but also broader societal trends.
The use of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) to locate unmarked graves at Harleigh Knoll is another instance where science directly contributed to historical understanding. GPR allowed researchers to identify “35 underground features, spaced at regular intervals from one another” without invasive digging (110), preserving the integrity of the site while providing a clear layout of the burial ground. This not only helped in planning more targeted excavations but also protected the site from unnecessary damage. The identification of locations and layouts of gravesites provided researchers with insights into sociocultural aspects of colonial life, including the segregation of social classes, the nature of family groupings, and the expansion of burial grounds over time.
Carbon isotope analysis is another tool that scientists use to learn about the past. By measuring the ratios of carbon isotopes, particularly carbon-13, in human remains, researchers can infer details about an individual’s diet and even their geographical movements. For instance, the indentured servant from Leavy Neck had a carbon-13 value of -19.39, pointing to a recent arrival in America. This data allowed scientists to infer that he had not acclimated to the American diet, which was heavily based on corn—a staple that significantly alters carbon isotope ratios in the body. Combined with the health conditions suggested by his skeleton, this implied that “his prior life in England involved significant hardship” (67). This specific insight into his diet helped historians learn about the life of an indentured servant who did not leave behind a written record of his life and journey to the colonies. Walker’s book is therefore not merely a survey of the different scientific techniques that can supplement historical research but rather an argument for the necessity of science in addressing gaps in historical knowledge.
Connecting the Historical Record to Archaeological Evidence
Although Walker emphasizes the importance of science in reconstructing the past, she does not dismiss the importance of archival work. Rather, Walker advocates for an interdisciplinary approach, showing how correlating archaeological findings with historical records can construct a picture of colonial society.
For example, Walker suggests that archaeological evidence often fills in the blanks left by historical records, especially regarding the lives of non-elite individuals such as the indentured servant from Leavy Neck. The placement of his body and the absence of personal artifacts at the site suggested he had few material possessions and likely occupied a low status within the colonial society. This aligns with historical accounts of indentured servants who, while not enslaved, labored under strict contracts that offered little beyond basic necessities. The analysis of the wear on his bones and the signs of malnutrition speaks to the harsh conditions under which he and others like him labored. Similarly, Walker notes that one obstacle that historians commonly face is that women are “seldom mentioned in historical documents” (104). In such cases, forensic analysis can address a deficit in the historical archive.
That said, written records are also important in the identification process, as evidenced by the fact that scientists were ultimately able to identify the body of Anne Calvert by identifying her husband. First, forensic anthropologists used pollen analysis to discover that the lead-coffin man died in the winter. They also knew they were looking for someone important because lead coffins were uncommon in the colonies. Drawing on that information, they were able to compile a list of 10 people who fit the criteria, eventually concluding the man was likely Philip Calvert and the woman his first wife. However, the physical analysis went further, revealing health details about Anne’s final years that the written record could not.
Archaeological discoveries have also been used to correct historical assumptions based solely on the written record. The analysis of burial sites at James Fort revealed that the fort had not been completely washed away by erosion as previously believed; rather, parts of it were intact underground. If historians had relied solely on written records, they might have continued to believe that the original structure had been entirely lost. Similarly, the locations and depths of the excavated graves helped to map out the fort’s boundaries and internal divisions, which were not detailed in contemporary accounts. Ultimately, Walker suggests that archival research and scientific investigation are complementary, their strengths and weaknesses compensating for one another.
Daily Lives of American Colonists
Daily life for early American colonists involved constant struggles, which varied by class, and part of Walker’s goal in blending scientific investigation with narrative elements is to put a human face on those struggles.
For example, the remains of HK7 show the physical toll of colonial life on individuals. Muscle attachment sites on her skeleton indicated repetitive heavy lifting and other strenuous activities typical in agricultural settings. The isotopic analysis of her bones suggested a diet heavily reliant on corn, a staple among both Indigenous peoples and colonists, reflecting the agricultural practices that were central to survival and economic activity in the colonies. This insight into HK7’s diet and occupation sheds light on the harsh realities faced by many—especially enslaved or indentured people, who formed the backbone of the colonial workforce.
The Captain’s remains provide insight into the lives of higher-status colonists. Found with artifacts that signify his military role and social standing, such as uniform buttons and a leading staff, the Captain’s burial site at Jamestown speaks to the colonial social hierarchy and the roles individuals played within it. The condition of his skeletal remains, particularly the absence of wear, contrasts sharply with those of lower-class colonists like JR1225B or the indentured servant from Leavy Neck. This differentiation highlights the division of labor and leisure that characterized the colonial social order. However, no one was exempt from hard work in the colonies. Anne Calvert’s skeleton showed “a buildup of bone at the muscle attachment sites on her upper arms” (100), indicating that she did do some physical labor. She would not have done the same chores as servants or enslaved people, but she did not lead a life of complete luxury.
One other aspect of daily life Walker discusses is the health and medical care of the colonists. Despite the Calverts’ presumably better access to resources, the Calvert infant apparently suffered from nutritional deficiencies. This suggests that even the colonial elite struggled with a balanced diet, potentially due to the difficulty of procuring and storing fresh produce and other necessary nutrients in a new environment with a developing economy. The detection of arsenic in the hair of the woman buried in the lead coffin is indicative of the medical treatments during the colonial period, which often involved the use of heavy metals like arsenic. The analysis of arsenic in her hair not only reflects on her personal health but also serves as a broader commentary on the state of medical care available to colonists. This example reveals the rudimentary and often dangerous medical practices that were prevalent, where the cure could sometimes be as harmful as the disease itself. As Walker describes these findings, they suggest the desperation and helplessness of even the wealthy and well-connected in facing health issues, forced to rely on hazardous treatments in the absence of better medical knowledge.
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