New Jamestown Settlement exhibition offers 'new layers' of insights into the lives of America's early settlers

Artifacts unearthed during recent archaeological excavations are revealing surprising cultural connections between colonial Virginia and Imperial China.

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Jamestown Settlement exhibition offers 'new layers' of insight into the lives of America's early settlers A collection of original Chinese Ming porcelain bowls and saucers on display at the "Following the Dragon" exhibition at Jamestown Settlement. (Photo by Christin Nielsen/The Triangle) by Christin Nielsen Nov. 17, 2025 JAMESTOWN - A new exhibition at Jamestown Settlement is offering a more nuanced look into the lives of some of America's earliest settlers.  "Following the Dragon: Chinese Ming Porcelain in Early Jamestown" highlights archaeological discoveries that reveal surprising cultural connections between colonial Virginia and Imperial China. Presented by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation in partnership with the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation, the items on view include rare Chinese Ming porcelain unearthed during excavations of the 1607-1625 James Fort at Historic Jamestowne. The special exhibition, which debuted on Nov. 15, provides new context around longstanding narratives that depict the Jamestown colony as a bleak and muddy military establishment. Merry Outlaw, senior curator at Jamestown Rediscovery, told The Triangle that while the initial years at Jamestown were "extraordinarily difficult" - bogged down by starvation, disease and high mortality - life in the isolated outpost still included elements of luxury. "The people who were here lived in rough conditions," Outlaw said. "Yet, because of archaeology, we know they brought with them their most treasured possessions, including these rare and expensive porcelain bowls, wine cups and dishes made in Ming Dynasty China." A porcelain bottle, ca. 1572-1617, from the collection of King Charles III. Fragments of an identical bottle were discovered during excavations at James Fort. (Photo by Christin Nielsen/The Triangle) China's Ming Dynasty spanned from 1368 to 1644 and was known as a period of cultural restoration and expansion, according to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Following the Dragon" reveals that some of Jamestown's early inhabitants were individuals of high social status who sought to display the most exquisite ceramics available during their time. Regarded as "white gold" in the 17th century, Ming porcelain was seen as an exotic ware from the East. It was typically associated in England with royal and upper-class households because it was expensive and difficult to obtain. Among the objects on display at Jamestown Settlement are fragments of an extremely rare porcelain bottle identical to one owned by King Charles III. Only 44 bottles of the kind have ever existed worldwide. The settlers would have shown off such lavish porcelain as a symbol of their stature, according to Outlaw. "Even as they struggled, the early Jamestown settlers hoped to portray themselves as worldly elites, worthy of leading the settlement to success," Outlaw said. "Archaeology continually adds new layers to our understanding of the past." The exhibition was jointly curated by Outlaw and Jamestown Settlement's senior curator, Beverly "Bly" Straube, a founding member of the Jamestown Rediscovery Archeological Project launched in 1994. Outlaw is also the author of a new book, "Following the Dragon: Late Ming Porcelain from James Fort, Jamestown, Virginia."  The illustrated book highlights connections between the porcelain found at Jamestown and the vast networks of global trade in the early 1600s. It is available in the museum shops at both Jamestown Settlement and Historic Jamestowne, or for preorder online. A group tours Historic Jamestowne, where over three million artifacts have been unearthed since the 1990s. (Photo courtesy of the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation) The special exhibition will remain on view through July 12, 2026.  A total of 31 vessels discovered at the fort are featured alongside intact identical artifacts from English, Dutch and American museums, as well as private collections from across the world. Entry to the exhibition is included with standard admission to Jamestown Settlement. Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg, including William & Mary students, receive free admission with proof of residency. Jamestown Settlement, located at 2110 Jamestown Road in Williamsburg, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit jyfmuseums.org. This week's event newsletter will be published tomorrow, Nov. 18. See our Community Calendar for a preview of upcoming events. Sent to: godlyman@alexanderofyork.com Want to change how you receive The Triangle? Update your preferences here or unsubscribe here.

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