Archaeologists in Virginia have unearthed the nearly intact foundation and cellar of a building that once housed the nation's oldest surviving school for Black children, the Williamsburg Bray School. The discovery, made during renovations at William & Mary's Gates Hall, includes artifacts like slate pencil fragments and jewelry, spanning centuries of use. The school, which taught enslaved children in the 1760s, later served as a dormitory for early female college students. The findings offer valuable insights into early American history and the experiences of enslaved and Indigenous communities.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.