Colonial Garden Uncovered in Williamsburg

Archaeologists in Virginia are uncovering a lavish 18th-century ornamental garden in Williamsburg, once owned by John Custis IV, a wealthy politician and father-in-law to Martha Washington. This garden, a status symbol akin to modern luxury cars, featured exotic plants and intricate designs, but the labor was performed by highly skilled enslaved gardeners. Significant finds include red cedar fence posts, gravel paths, and artifacts associated with the enslaved workers, such as a pierced coin and earthenware chamber pot. The dig also revealed animal remains, suggesting possible West African traditions. The excavation aims to provide a fuller understanding of the contributions and lives of the enslaved people who maintained the garden. Colonial Williamsburg now owns the site and plans to reconstruct Custis' home and garden as part of its efforts to tell a more inclusive history.