Archeological finding from graves in James town, Virginia, takes us back to the first English settlement in USA. However, recent archeological findings suggest a more retro-perspective to the first settlement and USA’s colonization.
The two graves out of four in the church graveyard belong to Sir Ferdinando Wenman and a Captain William West. Moreover, they date back to 400 years, 1610. However, more complex is the relation that these two had with one and another, and the governor of the town, Thomas West.
This milestone of an achievement is a testament to modern technology. Additionally, Paleoanthropologists (those who study the human remains) used paleogenomics to reconstruct the genetic tree of the two diseased. Meanwhile, the very location of the grave also stands as a testament of the nobility of the two souls.
However, the twist lies in the maternal genes of the two diseased. Sir Ferdinando Wenman’s mother was the aunt of the governor Thomas West. However, there were doubts on Captain William West lineage decent. Prompting the historical bug to dig beyond grave, finding other documentations.
Surprisingly William mother was Wenman’s mother’s sister, Elizbeth. Furthermore, this was confirmed by DNA analysis. On the contrary, documentation of the date reveled Elizbeth as a bachelor. Kept hidden from the public eyes. Because, illicit child birth was a mischievous sin, a taboo at the time in USA. Moreover, this revelation made the two diseased and the governor, all first cousins.
One might easily conclude that Captain William West escaped to the new world leaving his past behind. Additionally, this new revelation has given colonization a new meaning, a more colorful, less scandalous one.
Science has gone beyond our imagination. DNA decoding, bone chemistry, and modern archeological analysis can help different ideas of the past from a new perspective.
Also Read: 10 Biggest Empires Of The World In History
The Study
Archeologist from Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. conducted this study. Furthermore, it was led by anthropologist Karin Bruwelheide. Pointing to the successes of the diggings, “This study is the first to successfully use aDNA as a tool of identification at the colonial site of Jamestown, Virginia,” Karin Bruwelheide stated.
Furthermore, he believes “The aDNA data reported for these two men reveals a previously unrecorded aspect of identity for one, and alters initial perceptions held by researchers regarding his parentage,”.
Furthermore, adding comments to the social aspects, he stated, “This study further reinforces the need for multidisciplinary approaches to better answer questions of not only who was involved in colonization, but possibly, why.”
Research journal Antiquity hold the honor of publishing the new findings.
