osses are decorated with
raised designs while others are plain. The majority are made of brass,
although a few iron bosses have been excavated.

Spurs and Stirrups.--A few complete spurs have been excavated. While the
majority are plain iron some brass spurs in the collection are
decorated with very attractive incised or embossed designs. Two or three
of the highly decorated brass spurs are probably of Spanish origin. One
of them, in excellent condition, was found near an early brick kiln.

[Illustration: WROUGHT-IRON HORSESHOES AND CURRYCOMBS USED PRIOR TO
1650.]

[Illustration: SETTLERS TRADING WITH THE INDIANS--BARTERING CASTING
COUNTERS AND OTHER TRADE GOODS FOR FURS. (Conjectural sketch by Sidney
E. King.)]

All stirrups unearthed are made of wrought iron. Some of the steps or
stirrup bars are solid, while others have a single slot.

Horseshoes and Currycombs.--Horseshoes found vary considerably in size,
although the majority are relatively small. Many shoes have both toe and
heel calks, and in most examples the calks are well worn. The many small
shoes that have been excavated may indicate that the horses used in
Virginia three centuries ago were much smaller than the 20th-century
breeds.

All currycombs found are handwrought, and many have pleasing designs on
the backs, formed by the curved iron strips which extend from the handle
prong to the back of the comb.

Branding Irons.--Parts of several branding irons were found including a
complete example with initials "TR."

Wagon and Carriage Parts.--Archeologists unearthed only a few metal
parts from wagons and carriages--reminders of a day when horses and oxen
were indispensable animals in the Virginia settlements.

Trade

Some interesting objects recovered at Jamestown relate to early trade.
These include items used in trade with the Indians, as well as an
excellent assortment of lead bale clips. These clips are decorated discs
which were often attached to bales of goods (especially woolen cloth)
imported from England. One object, the heaviest unearthed at Jamestown,
relates indirectly to trade. It is a 1,300-pound iron piledriver which
was once used to build wharfs and piers.

INDIAN TRADE

One reason why the colonists selected a site for Jamestown some miles up
the James River was to develop the Indian trade over an extensive area.
During the early years of the colony, trade with the natives was
encouraged. It is clear from the early records