The development of Jamestown in Virginia during the second half of the seventeenth century was closely related to the making and use of bricks. There are several practical reasons why bricks became important to the colony. Although the forests could at first supply sufficient timber, the process of cutting trees or wood into timber was extremely difficult, particularly because of the lack of roads. Later, when the timber on the peninsula had been exhausted, wood had to be brought from some distance. Building stone was also in short supply. However, as clay was plentiful, it was inevitable that the colonists would turn to brick making.In addition to practical reasons for using brick as the principal construction material, there was also an ideological reason. Brick represented the long-lasting and permanent quality. The Virginia Company of London instructed the colonists to build hospitals and new residences out of brick. In 1662, the Town Act of the Virginia Assembly provided for the construction of thirty-two brick buildings and forbade the use of wood as a construction material. Had this law ever been successfully enforced, Jamestown would have been a model city. Instead, the citizens failed to completely obey the law; and by 1699 Jamestown had fallen into a pile of broken stones or bricks with only three of four houses left. (阅读理解)
The reason why Jamestown had fallen by 1699.#The use of bricks in Jamestown in the 17th century.#The development of Jamestown in the 17th century.#The law governing construction in Virginia in the 17th century.#
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