WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) — A revolutionary discovery has been made at Colonial Williamsburg.

Archaeologists at Colonial Williamsburg have found the remains of a Revolutionary War barracks on foundation property near the regional visitor center. They knew the barracks existed, but until now, they never knew where they were located.

The site was found while crews were making way for a new indoor sports complex next to the visitor’s center last summer. Archaeologists spent about five months digging and exploring, finding bits of pottery, musket balls, even bits of jewelry that would be worn on a high-ranking officer’s cufflinks.

According to Eighteenth-century maps and other documents, a barracks was constructed in 1776-1777 to accommodate up to 2,000 soldiers and 100 horses. The barracks are believed to have been destroyed by fire in 1781 by General Cornwallis’ troops.

“We have horseshoes,” said Jack Gary, Colonial Williamsburg executive director of archaeology. “We also have this object here which is a snaffle bit, so it’s part of a horse bit that goes in the mouth to control the horse. And this object here is part of a curry comb for brushing down the horse’s coat.”

This discovery will provide insight into Williamsburg’s military involvement during the Revolutionary War, and Gary’s excited for the stories these artifacts will help tell.

  • Initial excavation of portions of the barracks site in the summer of 2023 revealed one of the chimney bases for one of the barracks buildings. Credit: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
  • Initial excavation of portions of the barracks site in the summer of 2023 revealed bricks, possibly from a collapsed chimney from one of the barracks buildings. Credit: The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
  • Military buckle excavated by Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists from site of Williamsburg Revolutionary War barracks. Credit: Brendan Sostak, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
  • Glass button inlay excavated by Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists from site of Williamsburg Revolutionary War barracks.
  • Wagon wheel nail excavated by Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists from site of Williamsburg Revolutionary War barracks. Credit: Brendan Sostak, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
  • Gun flint excavated by Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists from site of Williamsburg Revolutionary War barracks. Credit: Brendan Sostak, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
  • Lead shot with tooth mark excavated by Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists from site of Williamsburg Revolutionary War barracks. Credit: Brendan Sostak, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
  • Caption: Coin, 1773 Virginia Half Penny excavated by Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists from site of Williamsburg Revolutionary War barracks. Credit: Brendan Sostak, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
  • Caption: Lead musket ball excavated by Colonial Williamsburg archaeologists from site of Williamsburg Revolutionary War barracks. Credit: Brendan Sostak, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

“Here at Colonial Williamsburg, we interpret the American Revolution and the politics that led up to it, and a lot of the events that led up to it,” Gary said. “But then, we don’t have a lot of sites that really tell us about what actually happened during the wartime. And this site does. It allows us to get some insight into the everyday lives of your everyday common soldier. it also tells us about what the officers’ lives were like.”

Prior to the discovery, the Historic Triangle Recreational Facilities Authority identified the site as the preferred location for a proposed regional indoor sports center.

In keeping with Foundation protocol, an excavation was done to ensure invaluable archaeological artifacts are not destroyed during construction.

Key finding from the excavation include:

  • Initial excavation conducted in the summer of 2023 revealed bricks and artifacts from the mid1700s and intact chimney bases
  • Key artifacts include gun hardware, lead shot with toothmarks (chewed by bored soldiers
  • because the lead was sweet), and high-end ceramics and personal adornment items indicating that the barracks were occupied by officers.
  • The barracks site is estimated to be roughly three to four acres large. Currently, only a small percentage of the site has been excavated.
  • The barracks site is currently covered back up to preserve the artifacts during the construction of the adjacent sports complex.

After the discovery, the footprint of the sports center was shifted to preserve the site for future excavation and research. The area was covered up again while construction on the sports center resumes. They hope to continue excavating by 2026, the 250th anniversary of when they were built, and when the U.S. declared its independence.