Finding Sir Ferdinando Wainman

This short film explores the historical, archaeological, and forensic evidence behind the discovery of Sir Ferdinando Wainman in the chancel of Jamestown's first church. He arrived at Jamestown in June 1610 with his first cousin and governor general of Virginia, Sir Thomas West, Lord De La Warr. He was a high ranking officer appointed master of ordnance (artillery) and general of the colony’s horse. Chemical testing of his bones showed the highest lead exposure in life of the four men, confirming his status. Lead was present in pewter and glazed wares, items more commonly accessible to the wealthy. Wainman was the first English knight buried in America. To learn more please visit https://historicjamestowne.org and https://3D.si.edu to see a digital model of the burial site.