Book review of Jamestown the buried truth by William Kelso

¶ … Jamestown: the Buried Truth by William Kelso

"Jamestown, the buried truth" by William M. Kelso represents an interesting and historically appealing description of the first English settlements on the American soil, rediscovered after it was considered to be lost in the James River. History has always been an exciting and constant wondering environment to discover and interpret. From this point-of-view, Dr. Kelso's contribution to this environment is of utmost importance. His work on the artifacts of Jamestown, the place considered to be the first spot for the settlers represents an important exemplification of the role history plays in the creating and maintenance of the national culture.

The culture of a nation always has a starting point and it is vital that every nation discovers and identifies the components of this culture. In his research, Dr. Kelso, Head Archaeologist of the Jamestown Rediscovery Project, has tried to constantly identify the starting point of the American people and most importantly its relation with the British. His book on Jamestown tends to provide exactly this type of evidence. The discovery of numerous historical artifacts, of walls, of evidence to point out human presence in the early years of the 17th century have pin pointed a massive relation between the American continent and the British Crown. Even so, such information was not unknown; however, what is important for the historical background of both the American people and of the transatlantic relations is the identification of Jamestown as a vital point where the Virginia Indians and the British entered into contact.

The importance of Jamestown is crucial because, should the conclusions of Dr. Keslo be true, it represents the starting point of the American culture, 13 years before the settlement of the Pilgrims in Plymouth. At the same time, it is important because it means that the cradle of the American democracy, of human rights as they are today in the U.S. And of the American Constitution was clearly influenced by a small town on the James River. Under these conditions, the historical importance of the small town would be huge.

The book is written from the point-of-view of a scientist but without leaving aside the personal touch and the personal filter of the author. Archaeology is one of the most important sciences because it provides humanity with a tool for examining the past that is crucial for understanding cultural identities, national concepts, and the future of a nation. It was therefore only natural that such a book be written with a scientific tone in order to better express the importance of the facts uncovered and their relevance for the subject and for archaeology. At the same time though, the author portrays a very implicated attitude, as his style is rather personal in providing even precise information. Although Dr. Kelso is a scientist, the feeling retrieved from the book relates more to that of an accurate storyteller, as he thoroughly presents details with clear and almost poetic descriptions that are uncommon for a scientist. Furthermore, Dr. Kelso's familiarity with the subject also allows him to make use of comparisons that may otherwise seem inappropriate. More precisely, he considers the mystery surrounding Jamestown to be similar to identifying "a modern crime victim" (Kelso, 2006). These types of insertion provide both an interactive relation with the reader and a more digestible means of absorbing historical information.

This type of narrative style can be very efficient. In the case of Dr. Kelso's book this attitude provided the subject a much more approachable side and therefore the reader was not intended to have previous experience in artifacts or archaeology in general. The style used by the author ensures the reader's attention and at the same time interest in the general subject of the book.

Dr. Kelso succeeded wonderfully in creating an entire universe of Jamestown from only the information gathered on site. The way in which he connected the information provided by the walls, the artifacts was important for drawing the attention of the reader but most of all, for providing the universe of the first settlers. This included the economic and social activities undergone at that time in Jamestown. More precisely, by drawing a relation between the objects found on site, Kelso noted the "steadfast commitment to making a success of their Virginia enterprise" (Kelso, 2006) of the settlers. This can only be achieved by a clear understanding of the historical background, of the work of the archaeologist, and most importantly, of the passion that ensures such an important writing creation. Kelso's book provides precisely this sense of passion that has guided the archaeologists' work and unraveled the marvels of an old world.

Another important asset provided by this book is related to the way in which the actions presented provide important answers for the reconstruction of an era. The excavations of the graves or the identification of skulls and skeletons all reveal a past that, provided Dr. Kelso's contribution, became clearer and ensured a positive place in the history of the United States. This contribution can be translated to an increase in the interest for Jamestown and James Fort but, most importantly, it laid the foundations of a new type of tourists interested in the history of the first English colonists in America.