MD'ing Colonial Virginia

"A few years ago Jerome Traver, archaeologist for York River State Park, did a random test dig at a site. He found nothing.

But after obtaining a 5-year permit to do more digging this year, he decided to check the same area again. This time he used a metal detector. The difference was startling.

Traver uncovered a previously undocumented fortified complex with a double palisade wall, bastions and redoubts dating to 1676. Inside the complex were several structures, including a barn and a house.

'You’re not always going to find them with random testing,' he said.

With the help of a sole volunteer, Traver has so far conducted 460 shovel tests using the metal detector. He found artifacts at every dig."

Read more HERE.