ARTIFACT HUNTING + FORGOTTEN HISTORY OF EARLY VIRGINIA | Amateur Archaeologist | Dominique Kostelac

In this immersive three-part episode of 'Our Numinous Nature,' host Philippe welcomes amateur archaeologist Dominique Kostelac to his Virginia homestead to explore the hidden layers of early Virginia’s history, long predating Jamestown. Kostelac shares his groundbreaking discoveries—from a 17th-century Native American palisaded village on his own land to rare colonial artifacts like a flintlock pistol, a 1652 Boston coin, and Spanish cobs—painting a vivid picture of Spanish incursions in the 1500s, including the 1567 Battle of Saltville and the lost 1570 mission. He challenges the exclusivity of professional archaeology, arguing that passionate amateurs, armed with metal detectors and local knowledge, are uncovering vital historical narratives often missed by institutions. The episode delves into controversial theories of pre-Columbian transoceanic contact, from Chinese voyages to Celtic stone structures, while also highlighting the global reach of 17th-century trade networks through artifacts like Turkish silver coins and Dutch East India beads. Kostelac’s journey takes him across the Chesapeake, from jet-skiing to Piscataway Bay to uncovering Delftware in a creek near Blacksburg, revealing how everyday landscapes hold profound historical significance. The narrative deepens with reflections on the emotional and ethical dimensions of archaeology—encounters with human remains, haunted buildings, and the spiritual unease that can accompany deep historical immersion. In the final segment, Kostelac shares personal, haunting experiences from a 12,000-square-foot former schoolhouse near Fredericksburg, where she and her son encountered unexplained phenomena, leading her to consciously disengage from spiritual connections. Yet, despite these eerie experiences, her drive remains strong: to pursue the elusive Spanish colonial presence in Tennessee, North Carolina, and the Chesapeake, motivated by a sense of urgency to preserve fading oral histories before they vanish forever.