SOUTH CAROLINA: Join An Archaeological Artifact Survey in S.C. for Free!
HILTON HEAD, S.C. — Join the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Heritage Trust for a free guided tour of Green’s Shell Enclosure Heritage Preserve as they conduct an archaeological survey of the property. The archaeological survey will take place from Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, through Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. All tours are guided by an archaeologist and will include experimental archaeology demonstrations.
Tours are free and limited to 15 participants. Pre-registration is encouraged to secure your spot. You can register for tours and reserve your spot through Eventbrite.
Green’s Shell Enclosure Heritage Preserve is located at 99 Squire Pope Road. What will the archaeological survey look at? This preserve features an embankment made of shells with radiocarbon dating back to 1335 BCE. This embankment is predominantly made up of discarded shells and includes artifacts such as pottery that bear unique decorations.
These pottery decorations include complicated paddle-stamped designs, incising, markings and appliques. Based on research from other similar sites, the Green’s Shell Enclosure likely provided defensive protection for a village, with walls, palisades and ditches. This site was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Learn more about Green’s Shell Enclosure Heritage Preserve in the story map of Skull Creek Chronicles here.
What is the Green’s Shell Enclosure?
Green’s Shell Enclosure Heritage Preserve is located on the edge of a marsh beside Skull Creek on Hilton Head Island in Beaufort County. The SCDNR Heritage Trust Program and the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreations and Tourism acquired this 3-acre preserve in 1991 to protect and preserve the cultural site left by the Indigenous people who once lived here. It’s constructed of discarded shells and other materials that give insight into the area’s history. The Town of Hilton Head and SCDNR maintain joint ownership of this preserve that Heritage Trust manages. Learn more about the early history of the Heritage Trust Program here.
–thestate.com
