Many earthenware jars, pots, bowls, and jugs excavated at Jamestown were
used for the storage of foods. Wooden and wicker containers were also
used, although because of their perishable nature none was unearthed.
Seventeenth-century inventories list many of these perishable storage
items, including casks, barrels, hogsheads, tubs, bins, and baskets.
Leather bottles are also mentioned in a few early records.
[Illustration: EARTHENWARE VESSELS USED FOR THE STORAGE OF FOODS. SOME
WERE MADE AT JAMESTOWN, SOME WERE IMPORTED FROM ENGLAND.]
[Illustration: "HARVESTING" ICE, ABOUT 1650. ARCHEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS
REVEALED THAT ICEHOUSES WERE BUILT ON THE HISTORIC ISLAND OVER 300 YEARS
AGO. (Painting by Sidney E. King.)]
A brick-lined storage compartment was found in the cellar (below floor
level) of one of the 17th-century buildings. It was used, undoubtedly,
for the storage of such easily spoiled foods as milk, cheese, eggs, and
cream. Wine, too, was probably kept in bottles in the cool compartment,
as many broken bottles were found inside.
An extremely important discovery was a large, deep, ice-storage pit,
believed to be the only 17th-century ice pit which has been excavated in
Virginia. The conjectural painting on page 48 shows its probable
appearance when in use about 1650. Ice-storage pits held dairy products,
meats, and other spoilable foods as well as ice. Pond ice was usually
cut and stored in the pit in late winter. Sometimes it lasted until late
summer or early autumn.