[Illustration: WROUGHT-IRON HORSESHOES AND CURRYCOMBS USED PRIOR TO
1650.]
[Illustration: SETTLERS TRADING WITH THE INDIANS--BARTERING CASTING
COUNTERS AND OTHER TRADE GOODS FOR FURS. (Conjectural sketch by Sidney
E. King.)]
All stirrups unearthed are made of wrought iron. Some of the steps or
stirrup bars are solid, while others have a single slot.
Horseshoes and Currycombs.--Horseshoes found vary considerably in size,
although the majority are relatively small. Many shoes have both toe and
heel calks, and in most examples the calks are well worn. The many small
shoes that have been excavated may indicate that the horses used in
Virginia three centuries ago were much smaller than the 20th-century
breeds.
All currycombs found are handwrought, and many have pleasing designs on
the backs, formed by the curved iron strips which extend from the handle
prong to the back of the comb.
Branding Irons.--Parts of several branding irons were found including a
complete example with initials "TR."
Wagon and Carriage Parts.--Archeologists unearthed only a few metal
parts from wagons and carriages--reminders of a day when horses and oxen
were indispensable animals in the Virginia settlements.
Trade
Some interesting objects recovered at Jamestown relate to early trade.
Pages:
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83