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Pocahontas Revealed
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Program Overview
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NOVA brings together ancient artisans, historians,
and archeologists to provide a fresh look at the myth of Pocahontas.
The program:
reviews how Virginia's Jamestown
became the first permanent English settlement in the New World in 1607. recounts that Captain John Smith and other
English settlers came to America to hunt for exploitable resources. notes that the English settlers planned to
trade goods for food with the Indians* rather than grow their own. recounts how Smith came to be captured by
the Indians and was eventually taken to their political center, Werowocomoco. presents Smith's recollection of the
historical meeting—written 17 years after it occurred—that took
place between him and Chief Powhatan in which Pocahontas reportedly saved his
life. traces how archeologists determined where
the Werowocomoco site was and documents key findings indicating the location of
the longhouse in which the fabled meeting is said to have taken place. states that copper was found at the
longhouse site and shows the process by which scientists used a spectrometer to
determine it was English copper. notes how adoption rituals may have played
a role in what happened between Smith and Pocahontas. recalls how Pocahontas brought food to the
English settlers at a time when Jamestown was on the verge of collapse and
relates how Indians may have lived at the Jamestown fort for a time. provides a reason for why the Indians
stopped providing food to the settlers—tree-ring research revealed that a
seven-year drought had begun. states how English settlers used weapons
to start a war with the Indians, eventually forcing Chief Powhatan and his
people to move. recounts Smith's return to England
following an injury and recalls how Pocahontas was told he had died. relates Pocahontas' eventual capture
by the English and her conversion to Christianity and marriage to John Rolfe. follows Pocahontas' return to
England where she discovers Smith is still alive and reveals what took place
when they were reunited.
* The word "Indians" or
"Virginia Indians" is used in this documentary because that was the
preference of the people in the program when referred to as a group. When
referred to as individuals, they prefer to be called by their specific nation,
tribe, or district names.
Taping Rights: Can be used up to one year after the program is taped off the air.
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