Archaeological Research
Field, Lab, and Documentary Research
Colonial Williamsburg's archaeologists use remains uncovered during excavation—combined with laboratory work, documentary research, and oral histories—to reveal information about the past.
- Current Projects and Tours - Come behind the ropes for a closer look at current excavations, tour our labs where much of the discovery takes place, or find out more about what our latest projects have revealed.
- What Our Archaeologists Do - Digging is just one aspect of how archaeologists learn about the past, its people, and its places. Our archaeological researchers are a multidisciplinary team that includes field archaeologists, anthropologists, curators, and environmental specialists.
- History of Archaeology at Colonial Williamsburg - Excavation has been an important part of our exploration of Williamsburg's history since the late 1920s. What began as a tool for locating 18th-century building foundations has evolved over time into a new and scholarly discipline focused on answering a wide range of research questions.
