Unusual artifact found in a posthole from Jamestown's first substantial church

[@burymedeep-be7dm]

Came off a 1609 Ford exhaust pipe

[@ChoppersModelworks]

Actually if you look there is the small hole in the middle of the split and it even stands on the flats created when assembled. It is obvious to me this is the frame for holding the sand halves of a sand cast mold. Check to see when or if they had any kind of foundry on site or possibly a good blacksmith. Probably were casting something out of softer metal such as brass or copper. This would be easier then iron unless this would maybe be big enough for early iron horse shoes? The horse shoes would make sense to have a re usable mold frame for many repeated castings as the wood frames would deteriorate over use. Check with a historical department for foundry or early blacksmiths for verification.

[@leamercatwild3354]

I agree - For those of us that had Jr high or high school metal shop this does look a lot like the "cope" and "drag" that we used to make two part sand castings and then fill with molten metal. The hole on top would be the sprue or riser.

[@madamebutterfly851]

Yep, there is literally one of these nearly identical in form and purpose available to purchase on Amazon right now. Gimme a PhD.

[@kathycook9674]

Being an archaeologist, and recreating period metal work. I am inclined to the mould flask, it appears to have been created by a blacksmith. Tthe casting flask was my first thought.

[@Arianela]

What struck me was the possibility of an ankle restraint. I'm sorry that is what I thouight! I'm not sure if stocks were ever used as punishment in Jamestown but something like that came to mind.

[@JamestownRediscovery]

We've just recently solved this mystery. Here's the link to what this thing was. historicjamestowne.org/selected-artifacts/sand-casting-mold-2/

[@Arianela]

THANKS! Fascinating

[@sandytruster3292]

Arianne I thought so, too!!

[@kevinhanney1979]

My first thought also...but maybe it's more of a coupling device like she says(woman speaking), and I'm wondering why it was discarded?

[@janetfranklin2223]

that is exactly what I thought when I saw it.

[@thatswhatshesaid.literally737]

😂 *For anyone thinking it's a stirrup, try riding a horse sometime using heavy, solid iron stirrups that have iron pegs sticking out on either side (that would bang into the horse's ribcage every time it took a step). Not happening! Lol* 🤣

[@PhilipNolan49]

I don't see a pipe connector. Why the flattened bottom? The arc isn't complete enough and the flat part is too big. If it joined lengths of pipe each pipe would have to have matching flattened parts to make a good joint. It's easier to make connectors completely round rather than flattening ends of pipes. I have no clue what it might be, but I get the sense that it might have been part of a ship's hardware, that found double duty on land. Anyone check with a naval archeologist? Just a thought.

[@busteriam]

That is a very interesting thing.Have you thought to copy it using modern materials and show the copy to various Trades,Craft,Mechanical,Builder people?,It may have a modern day counterpart.Alternately you could as them What would they use it for.The answers could be of help.

[@JamestownRediscovery]

I'm not sure if our curator has talked to a marine or maritime archaeologist yet, I will inquire. You may be onto something. This was found about a year ago and we are still looking into it. Thanks

[@todgibson6045]

You slide both pieces over a wooden log and drive a nail though the hole in the top so when placed on a flat surface the log will not roll when your working with it.

[@rarebreed9208]

It's a bearing hanger for a '73 Ford pickup driveshaft.

[@justdustino1371]

So you asked everyone but the plumbers or shipyard pipefitters? If that is a coupling for pipe the modern equivalent is called a Norma Coupling. It could have also linked sections of canvas hose pipe.More likely hose pipe since drain pipe in that time would've been bell ended. Or I'd could've been a simple pipe hanger.

[@JamestownRediscovery]

It doesn't appear robust enough to hold two posts together.

[@brandon779]

Appears to be some kind of post gate latch

[@erwinrommel2055]

O boy. Can't contain the excitement. 😱

[@mamagreeny7717]

Reminds me of a molding set.

[@1toRespectReggae]

could it connect two wooden posts together?

[@claudermiller]

A shackle for a prisoner. The grooves are for wooden inserts of different sizes to fit different size people and to make them less damaging to their skin etc.

[@mikefreeman3772]

My first thought a well.

[@JosephusXIX]

The general rule is, if something is unknown, it’s aliens (humor).

[@sparkynm156]

Alignment PINS aren't purposed for Binding or fastening.. Are there Fasteners? Looks very familiar....

[@robertthompson9455]

Alignment pins ?...Was it some sort of a mold or casting device ?...

[@sunshinesuzy5431]

I’m not a trained archeologist but doesn’t that look like part of an ankle or wrist restraint?

[@herblapp]

The link you show that provides the answer to what this artifact was doesn't work. Can you share a workable link with me (us) ? Thanks...this like all the other video postings are super! Thanks for all your hard work.

[@JamestownRediscovery]

+Herb Lapp historicjamestowne.org/selected-artifacts/sand-casting-mold-2/

[@sarahclaireclaire7586]

@@JamestownRediscovery still can't work out what it was that was found 😟😟😟

[@Kmac-hd6vp]

It's a muffler clamp.

[@kennethstinson9115]

the reason for people hitting the dislike button was because you didn't give the object enough camera time............... just my thoughts... and that thing is a doohicky mcbobber.... your welcome

[@JamestownRediscovery]

Thanks Kenneth, I learn as I go. Check the notes section below the video I think we've figured it out. Hopefully that link still works, cheers

[@lesjones5684]

I’m in love 🥰 ❤❤❤❤

[@baref1959]

there are some mine sites that have similar items. joining wooden pipes...

[@frederickbowdler8169]

Stocks punishment manacles?

[@aubreymacleod2618]

could it be for "dressing" horses back in the day?? i also agree with the coupling device path...very logical.

[@jakejacobs1227]

Perhaps this was a blacksmith/armorer's attempt at casting 3" diameter grenade shells/casings. That would require two exterior clay molds (each held in its iron frame) and an internal spherical mold set between the two. The fuse hole would be at the bottom of the molds and the sprue hole used for the pour at the top as seen on the artifact. For examples of the grenades see: www.history.com/news/pirate-shipwreck-grenade-discovery-schiedam . For description of period use of grenades see: thescholarship.ecu.edu/bitstream/handle/10342/7269/LACEY-MASTERSTHESIS-2019.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y See also: exarc.net/issue-2018-1/mm/replicating-black-powder-grenades

[@jakejacobs1227]

See also: www.etsy.com/listing/837740747/traditional-sand-casting-flask-moulds?ref=pla_similar_listing_top-2&pro=1

[@eduardolafarga9028]

Question why are they not wearing any latex gloves?

[@montanaskies20012006]

Looks like some part of a block and tackle

[@tallen4520]

An IUD for elephants?

[@scottgoodman8993]

Some type of ship fitting.

[@geoffreylee5199]

It was not uncommon to put Roman coins into post holes prior to erecting a building.

[@ricardofranco9946]

It is a war stirrup saddle

[@jamielynn8497]

Horse shoe mold?

[@montanaskies20012006]

It’s a franted reamus made of depleated unobtainum lol no really I would put my money on some part of ships rigging due to the fact that all of these people came on ships and shipwrights would probably have done a lot of building and the technology would have been available.

[@edmcconnell2105]

leg iron

[@frankrnicholas9380]

Colonial chastity belt. ;-)

[@lesjones5684]

Sweetheart ❤❤❤❤

[@janwarriner5037]

The part I don't get is why it was placed there in the first place! Would think Capt. Smith would be too busy to go to this effort to cease whatever this item was used for. Also why don't archeologists there utilize the knowledge frequently of our European counterparts? Seems their history and artifacts go pretty far back. Surely they'd probably know what this item did. I'm not convinced of what you state the item was used for. No, not an expert at all. But since there was speculation about it being a "pipe coupler" I'm skeptical of what purpose it has now been identified to do. I'd rather hear "we are still not sure".

[@JamestownRediscovery]

Jan,We do work with our counterparts in the UK and Europe fairly frequently, in fact it may have been from them that we found our answer. Check out the notations below the video, which update what this object was used for. Thank you for you interest.

[@janwarriner5037]

JamestownRediscovery Thank you! I forget sometimes to check that area out. The work y'all do is stupendous! So glad I found your channel plus I shared it with my family from Virginia. I'm from there too! Continued success! Wish I could come help out!

[@JamestownRediscovery]

Thanks so much for sharing the channel, we feel an obligation to share our work as it's your history too. Thanks again.

[@brianbranson2306]

sand mold form

[@CKing-388]

Looks like shackle to me

[@kennethstinson9115]

its for horse shoes.... I think

[@cherylleftwichvicki1284]

I know what it is.

[@peterforden5917]

It's ritual :)

[@troyupshaw3846]

My two cents worth would be a stirrup.

[@geoben1810]

Stirrups yeah, uh huh..... I don't think so. Stock or ankle restraints seem more likely. Look at it. Well that's just my opine. ✌🇺🇸

[@howarddenney5331]

Thats what i was thinking.

[@williamyorkolepossum]

Replacable horse shoes

[@closed2459]

Gasket from old toilet iky you all should wash your hands

[@closed2459]

Pathogens is corect go wash your hands

[@isanewday]

May be a shacle for the slaves.

[@ernestomiranda8347]

America birthplace? America is the whole continent, stop that!!!!!!!!!

[@TheHolyMongolEmpire]

The United States is called America, even though America is technically North and South America but when someones says America you know what they're talking about.

[@francesewilcox2249]

no it isn't ... Canada . and other countries are part of the continent > America is only one part of it

[@BrandyTexas214]

You idiot, this is the first permanent English settlement in America and they created their own government and leaders. It’s the first start of democracy in the new world

[@DAYBROK3]

Brandy Y. Try Newfoundland for that

[@thatswhatshesaid.literally737]

😑 *Fyi, THE UNITED STATES OF NORTH AMERICA is shortened to simply **_America_** since it would be silly to constantly have to say an entire sentence when it can be abbreviated down to one simple word. Stop being so darn sensitive, why don't you? It's nothing personalized against you!*