Film: “The Story Of Cannibalism In Jamestown”
The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs and the St George’s Foundation presents a film screening and discussion on the story of Jane The Story of Cannibalism in Jamestown and Bermuda’s Rescue on 12 May at the World Heritage Centre.
The film depicts the story of the “starving time” in Jamestown history and how ships that arrived from Bermuda carrying provisions helped save the early American settlers living in the colony. Senior Staff Archeologist of Jamestown Rediscovery, David Givens, is in Bermuda to lead a discussion panel after the event.
In 2012, Jamestown Rediscovery archaeologists working in a 1608 James Fort cellar discovered the mutilated skull and severed leg bone of an English teenage girl. She was found among butchered animal bones and other food remains discarded by the Jamestown colonists during the “starving time” winter of 1609-1610.
The findings date to that winter when sickness, starvation and Indian attacks led to the deaths of more than 200 men, women, and children crowded into James Fort. The forensic evidence confirms a desperate battle for survival.
While several written accounts of survival cannibalism in the American colonies exist, this is the first time that cannibalism has been proven by forensic evidence. A butchered horse and dogs were found in the same deposit, signs that they were discarded during that desperate winter.
Of the 200-300 settlers crowded inside James Fort only 60 emaciated survivors remained to greet an arriving ship the next spring.
The screening will take place in the theatre at the World Heritage Centre, space is limited and admission is free and starts at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow evening.
For more details contact the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs at 292-1681.
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Category: All, Entertainment, Films/Movies, History
