Martin's Hundred

by Ivor Noël Hume, Hume Ivor Noel

The author describes his archeological excavation of a seventeenth-century English settlement in Virginia and his discovery of evidence of the early colonial way of life

Genres: History, Archaeology, Nonfiction, American History, 17th Century, American, Memoir

343 pages, Hardcover

First published May 12, 1982

Reviews

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating!! I rarely read non-fiction, but was engrossed in the details of this archeological dig near James Town, VA.

Recommended to fans of archeology, early American settlements & Virginia history.

[Jane Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hume's book is non-fiction and is about the uncovering of an early 1600's settlement near Jamestown. The book is well written and can be enjoyed by both anthro/archeology buffs as well as mystery fans. The book details the perserverance and patience a researcher needs to discover the smallest particles that reveal the secrets of one of America's earliest settlements. The site crew wrestles with bad weather conditions and the ever present camera crews from National Geographic. The author does a wonderful job of putting all the clues together to tell the story of a small group of America's first citizens battling bad weather, disease and an Indian massacre.

[Shelly♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm calling this a memoir as it's one part history, one part archaelogy report and the story of how it came to be. Hume's Martin's Hundred exploration takes place pre Indiana Jones and is on the cusp of modern day archaelogy. Working for Colonial Williamsburg on a newly acquired property, he discovers a clue to other and older uses of the land than that of the surviving plantation structures. Obtaining funding through a variety of sources, including National Geographic, Hume and his team explore several areas that provide evidence of a long forgottened community from the early 1600s. Some of the finds were national news at the time, and the exposure in NG along with the film made about the dig, likely contributed to the growth of the field in the United States.

Some part of this book were a little dry, but not as dry as an actual archaelogical report can be. Overall Hume has an enthusiasm for the project even though it's perhaps not the "sexiest" of digs or discoveries. It certainly added layers and textures to English early occupations in Virginia.

[Francis X DuFour · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most fascinating archaeology books I have ever read! While searching for the remains of the plantation out-buildings of Carter’s Grove, a property belonging to Colonial Williamsburg, archaeologists discovered a lost settlement hidden since it’s destruction by native tribes in 1622. The meticulous excavation and research of the site yielded priceless artifacts that revealed unknown facts about this early settlement of colonial Virginia, just up the James River from Jamestown. The author’s explanation of the techniques developed to preserve the delicate artifacts and the related historical research to identify the objects reads like a modern mystery novel. A must read!

[Gabe Donahue · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Although overall an enjoyable and interesting topic, I didn't fully connect with Hume's writing. There were instances in which information was alluded to without context, making it confusing to follow what was described. If I'm being picky, there was also repetition of words and phrasing that got a little bland after a while, and many questions were listed without real purpose.

[Molly Simoneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating account of the excavation of an early colonial settlement in Virginia. It gets in the weeds a bit about the practicalities of archeology but if you can get past the details about rain delays, soil types, etc., it is exciting to mentally uncover artifacts with Hume and his team.

[Granny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martin's Hundred chronicles the finding and unraveling the mysteries of "Martin's Hundred," one of the earliest European settlements in the New World, near Jamestown, VA. It reads like a detective story as each new clue and artifact is discovered. I enjoyed the book so much, that I was looking forward to visiting the site next year. To my dismay, I read today that the site has been closed for the past two years. Not "cost effective." Sigh. I guess tourists prefer Disney World type settings to "the real thing." Darn.

[Bob Seaby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comment: Well written and very detailed account of a dig that revealed information about an early settlement near Jamestown. What was discovered in the settlement's dump was startling. Archeology buffs will enjoy this book as will history buffs.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I like most about this book, I think, is the writing and the way the author's personal voice contributes to the story being told. The book reads like a mystery novel almost and is very difficult to put down.

[Scott Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well written book on real archaeology and all of it's pitfalls. The garbage that is televised, think the American version of Time Team, cheapens the true intellectual pursuit of discovering the day-to-day lives of those that came before us.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

It isn't a thriller exactly, but if you are into historical archaeology it is a classic. I actually found it exciting-I loved hearing about the identifications of the burials-granny in particular.

[colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

read 12.07.05

[John Tendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

a dig near Jamestown

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love when history reads like a novel.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember really liking this book and wanting to read more into it.