The difficult and time-consuming job of conquering the Virginia
wilderness (clearing the land, building homes, planting and harvesting
crops, and warding off Indian attacks) left few hours for leisure and
amusements. There were times, however (especially after the first few
hard years had passed), when a colonist could enjoy himself by smoking
his pipe, playing a game, practicing archery, bowling, playing a musical
instrument, singing a ballad, or taking part in a lively dance.
Excavated artifacts reveal that the settlers enjoyed at least these few
amusements and pastimes.
[Illustration: A PHYSICIAN BLEEDING A PATIENT. (Conjectural sketch by
Sidney E. King.)]
[Illustration: A FEW ITEMS UNEARTHED AT JAMESTOWN WHICH WERE USED BY
DOCTORS AND APOTHECARIES. INCLUDED ARE DRUG JARS, OINTMENT POT, BLEEDING
BOWL, MORTAR AND PESTLE FRAGMENTS, GLASS VIALS, AND PORTIONS OF SURGICAL
INSTRUMENTS.]
[Illustration: ENJOYING A SMOKE IN A TAVERN, ABOUT 1625. (Conjectural
sketch by Sidney E. King.)]
[Illustration: A FEW OF THOUSANDS OF CLAY PIPE FRAGMENTS UNEARTHED AT
JAMESTOWN. THE ONES SHOWN RANGE IN DATE FROM 1600 TO 1700. DURING THIS
100-YEAR PERIOD, PIPES DEVELOPED FROM SMALL BOWLS TO FAIRLY LARGE
ONES.]