Project Details

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Combining The Structures Group, Inc.’s (TSG) forensic engineering expertise with the unique needs of the archeological community, the TSG team explored means and methods to provide engineering solutions to archeological problems. The problem at hand was the whereabouts of the Historic James Fort.  TSG engineers digitized previous historical and archeological maps of Jamestown Island – rescaling, and then overlaying the maps based on common features. This created a map of Jamestown Island that included both the National Park’s site of “James Towne” and property owned by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities.

The newly combined map with current features revealed virgin land that had not been previously investigated by archaeologists. This original solution “hit the mark” and resulted in a huge, “earthmoving” historic result – the discovery of the original 1607 James Fort – The Birthplace of our Nation. The project earned TSG a national Grand Award for Engineering Excellence from the American Council of Engineering Companies.

Client/Contact:

William M. Kelso, PhD
Director of Research & Interpretation
Jamestown Rediscovery
Williamsburg, VA