So far unique on Jamestown Island is a circular unlined pit, 14 feet in top diameter, excavated 7 feet into a sandy substratum, and corresponding in general character to known 17th-and 18th-century ice pits in England. This pit which lies 250 feet east of the Visitor Center may have served a spacious house which once stood nearby. It may be assumed that the missing surface structure was circular, probably of brick, had a small door, and was roofed over with thatch or sod for insulation. Kilns Both brick and lime kilns are present in the "James Citty" area, each type being represented by four examples. The oldest of four brick kilns so far discovered on the island is a small rectangular pit near Orchard Run, excavated to a floor depth of 4 feet, which has been dated between 1607 and 1625 by associated cultural objects. This small pit, without structural brick, was a brick-making "clamp," consisting of unfired brick built up over two firing chambers. There is good evidence that a pottery kiln was situated 30 feet west of the "industrial area." Ironworking Pits Also in the "industrial area" near Pitch and Tar Swamp, there is a circular pit in which lime, bog iron, and charcoal suggest the manufacture of iron. The previously mentioned pit within the area of the Confederate Fort yielded sword parts, gun parts, bar iron, and small tools, indicating a forge site, perhaps an armorer's forge. [Illustration: MAKING POTTERY AT JAMESTOWN. (Conjectural sketch by Sidney E. King.)] [Illustration: HOW AN IRONWORKING PIT WAS USED. (From contemporary sources.)] [Illustration: CROSS SECTION OF A BRICK-CASED WELL AT JAMESTOWN. (Conjectural sketch by Sidney E. King.)] [Illustration: ONE OF THE INTRIGUING MYSTERIES OF JAMESTOWN IS HOW THE LEFT LEG AND LEFT HALF OF A HUMAN PELVIS CAME TO BE THROWN WITH OTHER REFUSE INTO A WELL BEHIND THE ROW HOUSE. THE LOGICAL INFERENCE IS THAT A REBEL OR CRIMINAL HAD BEEN HANGED, DRAWN, AND QUARTERED.] Wells At Jamestown, wells are conspicuous features near many house locations. Those that have been found may be summarized as follows: wood lined--1; circular, brick cased--10; circular, uncased with wooden barrel at bottom--6; circular, uncased, incompletely excavated--4. Wells are invariably found filled with earth mixed with trash, mainly food animal bones. A well, located immediately north of the row house, had a human left leg and left half of the pelvis buried in the fill at a depth of 4 feet. Ditches The most significant feature determining landholdings are the ditches of the Jamestown area. During the 1954-56 explorations 63 ditches were added to the 33 previously discovered, thus increasing the opportunity to delineate property lines, many of which used to be bounded by such ditches. [Illustration: CAREFUL EXCAVATION WAS REQUIRED TO IDENTIFY THE FILL OF LONG-OBLITERATED DITCHES ONCE DRAINING FIELDS AND MARKING PROPERTY BOUNDARIES.] Refuse Pits