David Givens of Jamestown Rediscovery Featured at Cy Nicholas Luncheon

The 12th annual Cy Nicholas Luncheon was held February 23, 2023, at the Commonwealth Club in Richmond, Virginia and featured Dr. David M. Givens, Director of Archaeology at Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation.

Dr. Givens discussed the multiple issues that climate change brings to the site of the original settlement, including tidal and storm inundation, infrastructure degradation and preservation maintenance. Commenting on the excavations and historical research being conducted in and about Historic Jamestowne, he revealed recent discoveries that point to an agricultural and livestock component adjacent to the original fort and settler-made improvements that are currently buried in wet and boggy areas. Additionally, evidence discovered while investigating parts of the site may have unearthed remains of an early town will make us rewrite American history.

The site is administered by the Foundation through Preservation Virginia and its public/private partnership with the National Park Service. On May 4th, 2022, the National Trust listed Jamestown Island as one of our Nation’s eleven most endangered historic places.