2007 South Carolina Archaeology Month ProgramsShare the Spirit of Discovery During
2007 South Carolina Archaeology MonthFollowing is a list of the calendar of events and programs presented during the Sixteenth Annual South Carolina Archaeology Month (Oct. 1-31, 2007). Archaeology Month events will be offered not only in October but also in September through November. Events and programs have been developed by dedicated professionals,avocationalists, and organizations in order to bring our state’s prehistoric and historic past to life for all ages. Through such public outreach efforts, the archaeological community hopes to build regional and local public support for the preservation of our Native American, African, and European heritage.
By sponsoring an annual event like SC Archaeology Month, the archaeological community of South Carolina intends to:
1) stimulate public pride in our state’s archaeological heritage,
2) increase public understanding of why archaeological research
is important,
3 heighten public awareness of how many archaeological resources
are lost each year in South Carolina,
4) educate the public about what they can do to help protect and study the state’s archaeological resources, and
5) get more people involved in legitimate archaeological activities.
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
Fears That Fortified Charles Towne––Cannon Demonstration
Mar. 1-Nov. 30 (Every Third Sat.)
During the early years of the settlement, the Charles Towne colonists faced several threats, especially from their primary enemy and colonial rival, the Spanish. The Spanish fleet at St. Augustine, Florida was within three days travel of the fledgling English colony. Charles Towne, "here settled in the very chaps of the Spaniard," was a direct challenge to the claim of this disputed land. Following a review of Charles Towne's fortifications and defenses, the program will culminate with the Charles Towne Militia living history team's demonstration of 17th century artillery.Meet at the cannons in the fortified area at 1 PM, 2 PM, and/or 3 PM. Bring water and insect repellent. Contact the park for more information: Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, 1500 Old TowneRoad, Charleston, SC 29407, (843) 852-4200, www.southcarolinaparks.com.
York County Cultural & Heritage Commission
Liberty or Death: Rebels & Loyalists in the Southern Piedmont Exhibition Opening Jun. 25, 2006-Dec. 31, 2007
This an interactive exhibition on the Revolutionary War in the Carolina backcountry between 1780-1782 made possible by a grant from the Watson-Brown Foundation. Free with museumadmission. Hours are from 10 AM-5 PM. For more information, contact York County Cultural & Heritage Commission, 4621 Mt. Gallant Road, Rock Hill, SC,
(803) 329-2121 or visit: www.chmuseums.org.
The Charleston Museum
Clothes to Dye For Tour
Nov. 1 (Thurs.)
Join the curator of Clothes to Dye For: Colorful Textiles from the Charleston Museum Collection or Museum staff for a guided tour of the exhibit. Learn about four centuries of garments worn by Charlestonians and dyeing processes used to achieve these rich shades and hues. These curator-led tours of Clothes to Dye For are available the first Thursday of the month throughout the exhibit run. No reservations are necessary. Free with General Admission: Free for Members, $10/adult, $5/child (age 3-12), under age 3 free. Meet at the Museum at 11 AM. For information contact: The Charleston Museum (843) 722-2996,rchesser@charlestonmuseum.org.
Archaeological Society of South Carolina, Inc.
Historic Brattonsville/Culture and Heritage Museums
20th Annual Archaeology Field Day: A Taste of Archaeology: How Food HasInfluenced the Archaeological Record Oct. 20 (Sat.) The 20th annual South Carolina Archaeology Field Day will be held on October 20 at Historic Brattonsville. This year's theme is on “Foodways.A Taste of Archaeology: How Food Has Influenced the Archaeological Record." Visit with archaeologists from around the state while they discuss how Carolinians have been eating for the last 12,000 years! Watch demonstrators interpret archaeological data to present how Carolinians gathered, prepared, cooked, and served food from the Lowcountry to the Piedmont.Learn about archaeology and Low Country Foodways, Revolutionary War Camp Kitchen, Kitchenware from the Blacksmith, 18th Century Scotts-Irish Archaeology, Artifacts from Spanish Wells, 19th Century Moonshine, Maritime Foodways, and Moravian Kitchenwares. There will also be demonstrations on hot rock cooking, friction fire, forests, and food, cooking with clay–– Aboriginal clay pots, Catawba foodways,atlatl and blowgun hunting, and archaeology of fishing. The public will also see actual excavations of a country store. Kids will participate in a dig, make bricks, turn rope, shuck and grind corn, and much more.Eat with Charlotte Reporter and ExtremeBarbeque author Dan Huntley. Have a puzzling artifact? Bring artifacts to have them identified by a professional archaeologist. Tour Historic Brattonsville’s property, and visit 18th and 19th Century buildings belonging to the Bratton family. Discovertheir history and learn about life in the Carolina Piedmont from the 1750s to the 1850s.
Fee: $8/Adults, $6/Seniors, $3/Students, Children under four are free.Bus groups call ahead. Contact: Jody Steel, Historic Brattonsville, (803) 329-2121, Ext. 183,jsteele@chmuseums.org. If you would like to set up a project display or participate in any, especially as a volunteer, please contact Sean Taylor, Archaeology Field Day
Coordinator, (803) 734-3753. If you wish to make a donation, please contact Nena Rice,Treasurer ASSC at the SC Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, 1321 Pendleton
Street, Columbia, SC 29208, (803) 777-8170, nrice@sc.edu,and visit http://www.assc.net/ or www.cas.sc.edu/sciaa.
DO NOT MISS THIS EXCITING ANNUAL EVENT!
Musgrove Mill State Historic Site
The Frontier Rifleman
Oct. 20 (Sat.)
Perhaps no other figure from the American Revolution has been more romanticized than the frontier rifleman. And, while the reality may notlive up to the legend, the frontier rifleman did prove to be an invaluable asset to the Patriot cause, particularly at places like the Battle of Musgrove's Mill. Visit us at Musgrove Mill State Historic Site to learn aboutthe lifestyle, arms, equipment, and function of the frontier rifleman during the American Revolution. Fee: $2/adults (age 16-64); $1.25/seniors (SC Residents 65 and older); Children under 15 free. Meet at the Visitor’s Center from 1-4 PM. Contact Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, 398 State Park Road, Clinton, SC 29325, (803) 734-1700 or toll-free (866) 224-9339, Parks (803) 734-0156, www.southcarolinaparks.com.
Redcliffe Plantation State Historic SiteBeyond the Gravestone
Oct. 20 (Sat.)
Have you ever strolled through a cemetery and looked at old gravestones? Many are decorated with designs, quotes, or engravings that had special meaning for the deceased or their loved ones. Take a walk with us throughthe Beech Island Cemetery where Governor Hammond and many of his descendants are buried. Learn about gravestone motifs and the movement to protect, preserve, and documentcemetery history. Special instructions and alternatives to the traditional gravestone rubbings will be discussed so that you may capture interesting designs without damaging these fragile markers. Meet at the plantation from 4-5 PM. Free with Park Admission. Meet at the plantation from 10 AM-1 PM. Contact: Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site, (803) 827-1473, www.southcarolinaparks.com.
Kings Mountain State Park
Farm Festival at the Farm
Oct. 27 (Sat.)
Hayrides, storytellers, a blacksmith in the forge, re-enactors, and pumpkins come together to celebrate Halloween and the fall harvest at the Living History Farm. Pumpkins will be given away to visitors until the field is empty. Night tours will be given by re-enactors for the not so faint at heart, while a bonfire provides light and warmth for thoselooking for a little less adventure. Meet at the Living History Farm from 10 AM-5 PM. Visitor Information (803) 734-1700 or toll-free (866) 224-9339,Parks (803) 734-0156, www.southcarolinaparks.com.
Musgrove Mill State Historic Site
Battle of Blackstock’s Anniversary Celebration
Nov. 17 (Sat.)
On November 20, 1780, General Thomas Sumter and his men fought Lieutenant Colonel Banastre Tarleton and a small, but well trained force of British soldiers at theBlackstock's Plantation in modern-day Union County. On Saturday, November 17, 2007, Musgrove Mill State Historic Site will be presenting the Battle of Blackstock's Anniversary Celebration. The event will feature an interpretive talk on the Battle of Blackstock's and its significance, a Ranger-led tour of the battlefield, a period firing salute, and commemorations by the Daughters of the American Revolutionand the Sons of the American Revolution. The event will be held at 1 PM at Blackstock Battlefield Historic Site. For more information and directions to Blackstock Battlefield HistoricSite, contact Musgrove Mill State Historic Site at (864) 938-0100, www.southcarolinaparks.com.Local Events
Beaufort County Library
Why Does Beaufort County Library Celebrate Archaeology Month?
Beaufort County is rich in archaeological sites and studies.
Archaeology looks at human artifacts and remains, including structures made by humans, in order to help us understand how our ancestors lived, worked, what they ate, and how they interacted with other humans and the environment.
In cooperation with Historic Beaufort Foundation, the Beaufort County School District, the County Historic Preservationist, and EMBARQ, the Library has posted online articles about
• Fort Frederick
(http://beaufortcountylibrary.org/rooms/documents/html/FortFrederick.htm)
• Fort Fremont
(http://www.beaufortcountylibrary.org/rooms/documents/html/fremont.htm)
• Altamaha
(http://beaufortcountylibrary.org/rooms/documents/html/altamaha.htm)
• Lowcountry South Carolina Indians (Pathfinder to Materials)
(http://beaufortcountylibrary.org/rooms/documents/html/LowcountrySouthCarolinaIndians.htm)
• Beaufort District Librarian Grace Cordial's September 30 Beaufort Gazette Column about the Archaeology Month Celebration
