Virginia Department of Historic Resources Virginia Department of Historic Resources
For additional information, read the Nomination Form PDF
VLR Listing Date 09/16/1982
NRHP Listing Date 12/15/1984
NRHP Reference Number 84000807
On the bottomlands of the James River, the Bessemer Archaeological Site has features dating to the fourteenth century A.D. Evidence of two distinct but overlapping Indian cultures has been identified including an indigenous Dan River phase palisaded village and an intrusive Page phase village, whose people migrated from the north. The site also preserves well-defined remains of rectangular and circular houses, storage pits, and human burials, along with floral and faunal remains. Further archaeological investigation should add to the knowledge of the region’s prehistoric community organization and cultural interactions.
Many properties listed in the registers are private dwellings and are not open to the public, however many are visible from the public right-of-way. Please be respectful of owner privacy.
Abbreviations:
VLR: Virginia Landmarks Register
NPS: National Park Service
NRHP: National Register of Historic Places
NHL: National Historic Landmark
Updated: February 28, 2021
