Researchers Reveal Evidence Indicating Jamestown Settlers Turned to Cannibalism to Survive Terrible Winter

Posted on May 1, 2013

Researchers have presented forensic analysis of 17th-century human remains that prove survival cannibalism took place in Jamestown during the terrible winter of 1609-1610. This period was known as the "starving time." The announcement was made by chief archaeologist William Kelso from the Jamestown Rediscovery Project at Preservation Virginia, and historian James Horn, vice president of research and historical interpretation at Colonial Williamsburg.

The researchers have been studying human remains discovered from an excavation of James Fort in Jamestown in 2012. The scientists identified features on the skull and tibia of a Jamestown settler that indicate the individual was cannibalized. The image below shows a forensic facial reconstruction of the settler produced by StudioEIS of Brooklyn, N.Y. in consultation with a Smithsonian researcher based on the human remains excavated. This settler's body was eaten during the horrible winter according to scientists.

The evidence of cannibalism includes four shallow chops to the forehead, which archaeologists say represent a failed first attempt to open the skull (pictured below). The archaeologists say the back of the head was then struck by a series of deep, forceful chops using a small hatchet or cleaver. Sharp cuts and punctures also mark the sides and bottom of the mandible. The archaeologists say these markings indicate efforts to remove tissue from the face and throat with a knife.

Douglas Owsley, the division head for physical anthropology at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, said in a statement, "The desperation and overwhelming circumstances faced by the James Fort colonists during the winter of 1609-1610 are reflected in the postmortem treatment of this girl's body. The recovered bone fragments have unusually patterned cuts and chops that reflect tentativeness, trial and complete lack of experience in butchering animal remains. Nevertheless, the clear intent was to dismember the body, removing the brain and flesh from the face for consumption."

Take a look:

ARCHAEOLOGY