Discovery at Monticello reveals construction secrets Thomas Jefferson left out of maps and letters

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. Virginia archaeologists recently came across four skeletons dating back to the Battle of Williamsburg, which was fought in 1862. The remains belonged to Confederate soldiers. (Credit: AP) Archaeologists have uncovered a previously unknown remnant of Thomas Jefferson's era at Monticello: a brick kiln used to build his home. The kiln was recently found on the east side of the Founding Father's home amid an excavation that began in March, officials said. Monticello historians believe it dates back to the early 1770s — some time before Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776. MASSIVE INDUSTRIAL SITE UNCOVERED IN UNLIKELY LOCATION AS ARCHAEOLOGISTS CITE 'ENORMOUS' POTENTIAL It was part of the construction of Monticello I, the first version of Jefferson's home. The current structure reflects a later rebuild and expansion completed after his