A few years short of the 400th year founding anniversary of the Plymouth Colony, University of Massachusetts Boston researchers have uncovered evidence of the original settlement, including the remains of a calf they affectionately referred to as Constance.

Part of the Andrew Fiske Memorial Center for Archaeological Research at UMass Boston, the researchers were led by David Landon, the center's associate director. They had just logged five weeks looking for the original settlement site on Burial Hill when they made the discovery, putting them years ahead of Landon's goal of finding evidence for the colony's 400th founding anniversary in 2020.

The Search For The Original Plymouth Colony Settlement

Bricks weren't used in the original buildings and structures so the researchers couldn't use foundations to clue them in on the settlement's location. Instead, they were on the lookout for "post and ground construction," or basically wood holes and dirt.

This meant then that digging also meant interpreting, moving slowly to look for flow patterns that can be mapped out. Sometimes, all the researchers had to go on was soil color to help them figure out what was previously constructed in the area.

It was when they started uncovering 17th century artifacts, like musket balls, trade beads, pottery and tin, did the researchers become optimistic they were getting close to their goal. At the very least, this meant that the researchers were digging within the original settlement's walls. And when Constance was found, that was when they had their confirmation.

"Oftentimes, success in the colony depended on herds of cattle. It became a centerpiece of the economy. So the calf does connect us to that story," said Landon.

Refining Plymouth's History

Plimoth Plantation collections curator Kathryn Ness called the discovery huge and exciting, with the potential to dramatically change how early colonization of New England by the Europeans is understood.

She added that the team's discovery will help Plimoth Plantation in further refining its exhibits, using historical documents and archaeological evidence to portray the past and ensure accuracy in all buildings and activities. She's also looking forward to learning more about what they had uncovered and what other discoveries the researchers will make in the next season.

The researchers will go back to the discovery site next summer. For now, they are cleaning and labeling, as well as researching on what they have so far found. As for Constance, the researchers are keen on finding out how she died and why she was buried whole, instead of being eaten.

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