New Study Reveals Secrets of America's Ancient Tombstone
- Experts examined a Jamestown headstone which was previously thought to be from an English knight, only to discover that it more probably originated in Belgium.
- The researchers initially connected the tombstone to an actual knight named Sir George Yeardley, though they were unable to verify this connection.
- Although it was previously recognized as a black marble gravestone, the investigation revealed that the material is actually black limestone containing embedded fossils, which link the stone to origins in either Ireland or Belgium.
The earliest known "black marble" gravestone in the Chesapeake Bay area was probably intended for a knight. However, it seems this did not happen after all. marble , and it wasn't from America.
A new study published in the Journal of International Historical Archaeology organizes everything. The headstone (dating back to 1627) is made of black limestone and probably originates from Belgium. This information came to light due to minuscule fossils and an English knight residing in Jamestown.
Oh, the intrigue.
The researchers embarked on a mission to uncover the origin of the Jamestown tombstone, which was initially placed within the floor of a church constructed in 1617. This artifact became known as the black marble knight’s tombstone—during that era, people referred to any smoothed stone as "marble," despite this particular piece being made from a fine-grained black material. limestone —The gravestone was adorned with engraved brass inlays that might have once included a shield and the image of an English gentleman clutching a sword and hilt. This style would have been quite typical for a knight’s memorial stone.
The stone itself is the sole known gravestone in the English-speaking world. colonies Featuring intricately engravable metal plaques. The writers noted, "Colonial Virginians who had resided in London were well-acquainted with contemporary English trends and attempted to recreate them within the settlements."
However, apart from the probable ranking of the entity it signified, the narrative surrounding this item was more complex. legend Then, it fell upon science to intervene and begin distinguishing between truth and falsehood.
The damaged stone, relocated from its initial position due to a construction endeavor in the 1640s, underwent analysis. fossil According to the research, the group identified six types of single-celled creatures called foraminiferans. These particular species were not present together in North America; however, they inhabited the same areas in both Ireland and Belgium. The researchers stated in their report, "This indicates that the knight's headstone must have been brought over from Europe. Records indicate it originated in Belgium, then moved through London before reaching Jamestown."
Markus Key, one of the study’s co-authors, told Phys.org That the tombstone indicates an expansive trading network that encompassed the Chesapeake Bay during the colonial era. "We never imagined that settlers were purchasing black marble tombstones from Belgium just as we today buy goods from Amazon," he commented, "yet such was the case." slower .”
The particular headstone in question was ultimately lost However, it was rediscovered in 1901. Later, it underwent repairs and was installed in the chancel of the current Memorial Church as part of the construction work in 1906.
The findings of the fossil hunt indicated that the stone originated from either Ireland or Belgium. By integrating this fresh information with pre-existing historical data, the team concluded that Belgium was more probable. It was established that the rock is Lower Carboniferous black "marble"—a rock That remained popular for many years, particularly favored among the elite in England during the colonial era for tombstones.
The expense of bringing the stone to Jamestown, even when used as ballast, would significantly increase the overall cost, including both the price of the stone and the expenses for its engraving. brass Inlays, along with the creation and installation of the brass inlays," the researchers noted in their study, pointing out that comparable colonial grave markers found throughout the Chesapeake Bay area similarly originate from Belgium. "The individual interred beneath the knight's memorial stone held significant standing within the Jamestown colony.
It was possible for someone to be a knight. The writers mentioned that two knights —Sir Thomas West and Sir George Yeardley both passed away within the 20-year period that permitted interment at the Jamestown church. Additional details indicated that the remains could not belong to West, as he perished at sea; however, Yeardley was still considered a potential match.
In the 1680s, Yeardley's step-grandson, Adam Thorowgood II, had a black marble tombstone engraved with an identical inscription as the "broken tomb," which could be the one in question. Due to various movements and disruptions at the initial burial location, experts were unable to utilize DNA testing to link Yeardley either to the original site or to the broken tombstone. Nonetheless, the research indicated that it still seems quite plausible that this particular Belgian-made stone is indeed the earliest known tombstone in existence here. North America .
Regarding the initial owner, their identity will probably stay undisclosed. mystery For now. However, whatever warranted him such a grave marker was probably more severe than just a minor injury.
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