Historic Jamestowne An Introduction to the buildings and sites of the first permanent English sites of the first permanent English settlement in North America settlement in North America

Voyage to Jamestown On May 13 th 1607 three ships, the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery, carrying 104 settlers arrived at what became Jamestown On May 13 th 1607 three ships, the Susan Constant, the Godspeed, and the Discovery, carrying 104 settlers arrived at what became Jamestown It became the first permanent English settlement in North America It became the first permanent English settlement in North America

Jamestown Island The site was selected because it provided a strong defense against possible Spanish attacks. The site was selected because it provided a strong defense against possible Spanish attacks. Sailing from the east, Jamestown was located at the narrowest point of the James River, which provided a visual vantage point and screen against enemy ships. Sailing from the east, Jamestown was located at the narrowest point of the James River, which provided a visual vantage point and screen against enemy ships.

The James River Looking east down the James River toward the Chesapeake Bay, which is approximately 40 miles away. Looking east down the James River toward the Chesapeake Bay, which is approximately 40 miles away. Jamestown Island is about sixty miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. Jamestown Island is about sixty miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean.

The Jamestown Fort By June 15, 1607 the settlers had constructed a fort shaped in the form of a triangle and made of wooden posts which were placed in the ground, upright and side by side. By June 15, 1607 the settlers had constructed a fort shaped in the form of a triangle and made of wooden posts which were placed in the ground, upright and side by side.

Convergence of Cultures

The Powhatans and the English The Powhatan Indians, who had inhabited the tidewater region of present-day Virginia for hundreds of years, were an established society ruled by a paramount chief named Wahunsenacawh, also known to history as Powhatan. The Powhatan Indians, who had inhabited the tidewater region of present-day Virginia for hundreds of years, were an established society ruled by a paramount chief named Wahunsenacawh, also known to history as Powhatan.

The Powhatans The Powhatan paramount chiefdom consisted of approximately 30 named tribes with a population of about 14,000 people, and was named Tsenacomoco, which may have meant “our place.” The Powhatan paramount chiefdom consisted of approximately 30 named tribes with a population of about 14,000 people, and was named Tsenacomoco, which may have meant “our place.” The Powhatans had a sustained society with a structured government, economy, religion, language and intricate social institutions. The Powhatans had a sustained society with a structured government, economy, religion, language and intricate social institutions.

Trade Between the Two Cultures Trade for food with the Powhatans enabled the colonists to survive during the early years of the settlement ’ s history. Trade for food with the Powhatans enabled the colonists to survive during the early years of the settlement ’ s history. English trade goods consisted of: copper, blue-glass beads, various iron tools, and even toys. English trade goods consisted of: copper, blue-glass beads, various iron tools, and even toys.