Bermuda’s First Capital: Archaeology of Moore’s Town (1612) and English Atlantic Expansion

Summary

Bermuda’s settlement occurred at the dawn of 17th century English colonization of the Atlantic world. This paper elaborates on findings at Smallpox Bay on Smith's Island from excavation between 2013 and 2024 focused on Moore’s Town, Bermuda’s first but short- lived 1612 capital. Material uncovered at this site situates Bermuda’s inception at the intersection of colonial, architectural, and trans-Atlantic histories. Analysis of recently recovered architectural features and building material sheds light on how colonizers cultivated a creolized, built environment. Evidence reveals contrasts in building techniques to those used at contemporaneous English settlements such as Jamestown. I argue that this marks the genesis of distinctly Bermudian architectural forms – resulting in a vernacular hybridity that deeply reflects, and indeed relies on, Bermuda’s unique natural resources.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2025

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Contact(s): Nicole Haddow