Jamestown's Dark Winter

The marshy islands around Jamestown, VA, became the site of England's first colony in the new world. Directed by Richard J. Wells, this PBS-aired documentary from the Secrets of the Dead series centers on the winter of 1609-10, often described as the colony's "Starving Time." The 1607 expedition was plagued with bad luck from the start, when a terrific storm at sea caused most of the food and other supplies to be lost. The colony suffered from fractured leadership, bad water, a dry spell unsuited for raising crops, and sickness. Native Americans quickly turned hostile, staging surprise attacks and laying siege to the fort. The focus here is on a teenaged girl dubbed "Jane," whose remains (dating to 1609) were found in a trash pit. Jane was most likely a servant girl, living in a distant, strange new land, likely without family or close friends. Like most Jamestown residents, she was sickly and malnourished. Using bone fragments (which bear marks suggestive of cuts) and other evidence, researchers conclude that Jane was reluctantly butchered for food following her death, her face turned away from the person performing the unpleasant task of dismembering her body. Given the ancient taboo against cannibalism, this was a desperate action taken for community survival (three out of every four residents would eventually die). The documentary soberly describes the miserable daily life of Jamestown, one that is far removed from the calendar art images of the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, MA. While more coverage of Jamestown's later history would have been welcome, this fascinating historical exploration of early colonial life is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)