Unexpected Discovery at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
Archaeologists have stumbled upon a surprising relic linked to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello: a brick kiln believed to have been used in the home’s construction.
This kiln was found east of Jefferson’s historic residence during excavations that commenced in March. Experts suggest it dates back to the early 1770s, a period just before Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
The kiln likely played a crucial role in the construction of Monticello I, the original version of the house, which was modified significantly after 1789, following Jefferson’s return from France.
Photographs from the excavation site depict researchers unearthing a rectangular area where distinct brick grooves and various bricks marked with initials were found.
Crystal O’Connor, the archaeological site research manager at Monticello, described the kiln as a substantial temporary oven used specifically for hardening bricks.
O’Connor mentioned that the excavations revealed channels filled with overbaked brick debris, and the underlying soil was hardened due to intense heat.
The team initially didn’t realize the significance of what they found, but the pattern soon indicated they were indeed looking at a brick kiln. Workers once piled thousands of unfired bricks into the kiln and sustained the fire for days until the bricks hardened and were ready for use in the house.
O’Connor highlighted that, after the firing, the kiln was disassembled, and the finished bricks transported to the building site. She noted that this kiln was instrumental in constructing the home of the author of the Declaration of Independence.
It’s worth noting that the operation of this facility likely involved two white workers—either George Dudley or William Bishop—who were employed by Jefferson, but it primarily depended on enslaved labor.
Interestingly, although Jefferson himself didn’t craft the bricks by hand, there’s evidence that prominent Virginia figures recognized the importance of kilns.
Records indicate that in late 1774, Jefferson considered whether it was more efficient to transport bricks uphill or to produce them directly on-site, which leads to some contemplation about his decision-making process.
O’Connor remarked that “very little” aside from bricks was discovered in the area, though some 18th-century remnants, such as uniquely shaped bricks for the house, were particularly interesting. These bricks feature a distinct S-shaped profile, which Jefferson incorporated into the exterior of the dining room wall around 1772.
This kiln, which wasn’t acknowledged in any of Jefferson’s documentation, shifts our understanding of how Monticello was built. O’Connor emphasized that even at such a well-documented historic location, archaeology often unveils more than what is recorded in text.
