Flowerdew Hundred: The Archaeology of a Virginia Plantation, 1619-1864 [Paperback]

James Deetz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 22, 1995

Deetz's Flowerdew Hundred is a synopsis of the result of 25 years of archaeological investigations at Flowerdew Hundred, a former plantation on the south side of the James River in Prince George County, Virginia. Throughout the work, Deetz conveys the importance of combining historiography and archaeology to a reach a better understanding of the past. This multidirectional approach is displayed as Deetz examines smoking-pipe stems, Colono-ware pottery and post-in-ground buildings, at Flowerdew. Through examining regional history of the Chesapeake, comparing the Flowerdew archaeological record with that along the eastern seaboard (particularly in regards to icehouses and pits), and looking at the architecture of Salem, South Africa, Deetz is able to construct a contextual history of Flowerdew in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. For archaeologists, amateurs, and the general public, the book simplistically relays the intertwining of history, archaeology and folk studies, and of course, reveals a glimpse into life on a Virginia plantation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It will be no surprise to students and colleagues familiar with [Deetz's] work that he brings to this book both the discursive and stimulating style and the personal panache that generations of students have enjoyed..

(Ivor Noel Hume, author of Martin's Hundred )

"[W]ritten in the engaging style of a master storyteller..His familiarity with both archaeological and historical data and his ability to mesh them into a more complete picture makes for a fascinating look at a microcosm of Virginia history in its early period..

(Virginia Magazine of History and Biography )

About the Author

James Deetz is David A. Harrison III Professor of Historical Archaeology at the University of Virginia. He is the author of Introduction to Archaeology; In Small Things Forgotten: The Archaeology of Early American Life; The Dynamics of Change in Arikara Ceramics; and coeditor of The North American Indians.

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: University of Virginia Press (September 22, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813916399
• ISBN-13: 978-0813916392
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #609,079 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Flowerdew Hundred: A Review, September 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Flowerdew Hundred: The Archaeology of a Virginia Plantation, 1619-1864 (Hardcover)

This book discusses the History of a Virgina Platation seen through the eyes of those that came long after the people who lived and toiled had departed. This story is about people. Some we know of,and some we don't. This is the story of their lives, told through the broken dishes and pipes that remain. James Deetz weaves together the history of this plantation to create a wonderous tapastry for all to enjoy, even if you arent an archeologist.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fine introduction to historical archaeology, October 13, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Flowerdew Hundred: The Archaeology of a Virginia Plantation, 1619-1864 (Paperback)

Writing about the archaeology of more than a dozen unrelated sites that existed over a period of 250 years is not a simple task. The late Jim Deetz, a fine writer, does his best to make sense of a lot of digging that took place over a period of more than twenty years. The account unavoidably drags in places. (Do we really care that much whether blacks or Indians made the inferior pottery known as Colono ware?) But Deetz's stylistic grace and sense of proportion keeps the inconsequential from getting out of hand. The introduction and final chapter contain excellent discussions of historical archaeology as a discipline.

5.0 out of 5 stars Extensive study of a plantation, December 29, 2011

By 

Francis M. Elliott - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flowerdew Hundred: The Archaeology of a Virginia Plantation, 1619-1864 (Paperback)

This was very interesting reading. It was recommended to me by a museum curator I know. Great portions of it were well written and detailed archeological study. Some of it devolved into sociological speculation. The section detailing how to use antique and modern photos superimposed to show exact locations was a work of genius. Likewise the pipestem research was superb. Overall a good study.