Amateur Archaeologist Finds Old Furnace

RICHMOND, Va. -- The ruins of a 17th century iron blast furnace found in Chesterfield County is believed to be the first ironworks in English North America and the earliest known evidence of heavy industry in the New World, county officials said Friday.

County public utilities employee Ralph Lovern, an amateur archaeologist who often searches the area for Indian artifacts, uncovered the furnace along the banks of Falling Creek.

Historians say the furnace was built around 1619 by the Virginia Company of England.

Archaeologists and historians have known for years that an ironworks operated in the area. Heavy rains late last year caused flooding that cut a new channel along the creek's banks that exposed the ruins.

The base of the furnace is submerged in several feet of water and can be seen at low tide, officials said.

Falling Creek flows into the James River approximately a quarter-mile downstream. The site was considered ideal for a furnace, because it was the only location between Richmond and the Atlantic Ocean that had the water supply needed to power the furnace and transport iron ore excavated nearby.

The furnace could have produced 600 tons of ore a year, archaeologist Lyle Browning said.

The Powhatans attacked the furnace settlement in 1622, killing all workers. By 1624, the site had been abandoned.

The county and the Falling Creek Ironworks Foundation hope to secure money to excavate the rest of the furnace, officials said.

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Information from: Richmond Times-Dispatch, http://www.timesdispatch.com