Sunday, October 24, 2010

Post-Doctoral Fellows Archaeology Conference in April 2011

Post-Doctoral Fellows Archaeology Conference in April 2011
Moving the Middle to the Forefront: Re-Visiting the Second Epidemiological Transition

The South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology and the Department of Anthropology at the University of South Carolina will hold their third annual Post-Doctoral Fellows Archaeology Conference in April 2011.


Moving the Middle to the Forefront: Re-Visiting the Second Epidemiological Transition is a two-day conference to be held at the Inn at USC in Columbia on April 18th -19th. The central theme of this year’s conference focuses on addressing the causes and consequences of the second transition through an interdisciplinary integration of skeletal, archaeological, biochemical and historical evidence.


For addition information, please contact:
Molly Zuckerman, Ph.D.
South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology
University of South Carolina
1321 Pendleton St.
Columbia SC 29201
Zuckermm@mailbox.sc.edu

Phone: 803-576-6572
Fax: 803-254-1338

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Starting Today! Digging the Past Through Archaeology

Digging the Past Through Archaeology

Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site
Archaeologists discover “new” things everyday at the site of the colonial town of Dorchester, now Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site. The often untold stories of daily life take shape through the efforts of archaeologists as they uncover, clean, analyze and care for the clues left behind of life in a frontier village and trading town. If you have ever thought “it would be neat to work with an archaeologist,” this is your opportunity. Experience first-hand the excitement of discovery, help curate artifacts in the laboratory, and spend the day with us. This program offers insight into the roll of an Archaeologist while promoting proper ethical involvement in the protection and preservation of South Carolina’s historical resources.

GENERAL
Ranger Demonstration: Yes
Registration Deadline: 1 week prior to the program
Meeting Place: Ranger Station
What to Bring: Wear closed-toe shoes. Bring insect repellent, your lunch and water.

HOURS
Event Hours: 10am-4pm

RATES AND DISCOUNTS
Fee: $25/participant

SCHEDULE
October 23, 2010, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
November 20, 2010, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
December 11, 2010, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

South Carolina Archaeology Education Manual

Check out South Carolina Archaeology Public Outreach Division (SCAPOD) draft of the South Carolina Archaeology Education Manual for 3rd graders.

October 26: Archaeology of the Gullah People


"Archaeology of the Gullah People”
with Carl Steen and Dr. Jodi Barnes
Tues., Oct. 26th
5:30 pm—6:30 pm
Council Chambers, 100 Ribaut Road

The African American citizens of the Sea Islands and tidally influenced areas of the coast from Northern Florida to Southern North Carolina developed a distinctive dialect and culture and became known as the Gullah people. Few of them could read or write, and almost none left a written record of their lives. But like all humans they left material evidence of their time here. Therefore archaeology is one of the few avenues we have into documenting their lives.

Steen and Barnes will discuss the role of archaeology, and cite some examples of archaeology at Gullah sites in South Carolina, including the Penn Center site for the proposed new St. Helena Branch Library.

Please join us for this "Archaeology Month" program on Tues., Oct. 26th beginning at 5:30 pm.

"Archaeology Month 2010" is brought to you by Beaufort County Library, Beaufort County GIS, and Beaufort County Planning. The presentation is free and open to the public. Anyone older than 12 with an interest in archaeology and local history is welcomed to attend. Details: http://www.beaufortcountylibrary.org/

Monday, October 18, 2010

Archaeology on Palmetto Bluff

Archaeology on Palmetto Bluff

BDC @ The Branches celebrates Archaeology Month in Bluffton Branch on Tues., Oct. 19th.

Join our guest speaker Dr. Mary Socci, the resident archaeologist at Palmetto Bluff. Learn about the earliest known octagonal structure in North America. As this is a lunchtime program, we encourage you to bring a bagged lunch! Everyone is welcome to attend, no registration necessary.

Mary Socci, Ph.D.
"18th Century Science and Architecture at a Lowcountry Plantation"
Tuesday, October 19th at 12 Noon
Bluffton Branch Library
Large Meeting Room

We hope you can attend this "Archaeology Month" program on Tues., Oct. 19th beginning at high noon.

"Archaeology Month 2010" is brought to you by Beaufort County Library, Beaufort County GIS, and Beaufort County Planning.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

County Proclaims October "Archaeology Month"

County Proclaims October "Archaeology Month"




Representing Archaeology Month Team 2010, I accepted the Beaufort County Council's proclamation that October is "Archaeology Month" yesterday. Unfortunately, neither Ian Hill nor Ian deNeeve were able to attend.

Archaeology Month 2010 is always a collaborative venture. This year we were very fortunate to have Beaufort County GIS employee Ian deNeeve on our team. Ian deNeeve created the GIS mapping poster going on display in each Branch of the Beaufort County Library (just as soon as the courier can deliver them) as well as a self-guided map of tabby sites in downtown Beaufort that is available through the Library’s website.
A gentle reminder: We have two presentations coming up. Mary Socci, Palmetto Bluff’s resident archaeologist will be in Bluffton Branch Library on Oct. 19th to talk about how historical documents and archaeological sciences and new technologies have facilitated her work inside Palmetto Bluff. On Oct. 26th, Carl Steen and Dr. Jodi Barnes will be here in Council Chambers to discuss the special documentary and technological challenges of uncovering “Gullah archaeology.” Each presentation is free and open to the public.
In addition to finding the program schedule on the Library’s website, we have an "Archaeology Month" button on the County’s new website.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Dean Hall: Historical Archaeology at a Nineteenth Century Cooper River Rice Plantation

Dean Hall: Historical Archaeology at a Nineteenth Century Cooper River Rice Plantation
Sponsored by Carolina Lowcountry & Atlantic World Program at the College of Charleston

Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Location:
Johnson Center, Room 206
28 George Street
Charleston, SC 29424
United States

Members of Brockington and Associates, a cultural resource management company in Mt. Pleasant, will be giving a public lecture on recent work at Dean Hall Plantation in Berkeley County, South Carolina. Charles Philips, Jr., senior historian, will present the history of Dean Hall Plantation. Andrew Agha, senior archaeologist, will discuss the recent excavations, which uncovered over 125,000 artifacts, including 59,000 Colonoware sherds. Nicole Isenbarger, lab supervisor, will discuss the significance of the found artifacts and Colonoware. Analysis of these sherds has helped shed light on the folkways of the enslaved people at Dean Hall plantation. This event is co-sponsored by the Addlestone Friends of the Library.

Website: http://www.cofc.edu/atlanticworld

Contact:
Lisa B Randle
randlel@cofc.edu

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

October is Archaeology Month!

by Jodi Barnes, Editor SC Antiquities and State Historic Preservation Office Archaeologist

October is archaeology month! South Carolina has been celebrating the archaeology and history of the state for 21 years. The annual celebration is put together by the Archaeological Society of South Carolina (ASSC)., local museums and historical associations, state agencies, such as the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA), and state parks, such as Charles Town Landing State Historic Site or Kings Mountain State Park as well as local governments.

Archaeology month 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 wants to: 1) Stimulate pride in our state’s archaeological heritage; 2) Increase understanding of why archaeological research is important; 3) Heighten awareness of how many archaeological resources are lost each year in South Carolina; 4) Educate people about what they can do to help protect and study the state’s archaeological resources; and 5) Get more people involved in archaeological activities and discourage the practice of pot-hunting and unsupervised digs.

Each year, archaeology month has a theme and a poster. This year’s theme is archaeology and technology. Archaeology is often thought of as digging. Yet archaeologists use a variety of technology in order to learn about the past. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR), Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR), ethnobotany, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), Petrographic Analysis and the sourcing of raw materials are just a few of the tools archaeologists use.

Another aspect of technology in archaeology is experimental archaeology or the study that attempts to replicate past processes to understand how the archaeological materials came about. Experimental archaeology can include flint knapping, pottery production or atlatl studies, past farming techniques, or the construction of ships and buildings. Archaeology month provides a number of opportunities to see first hand how archaeologists engage with technology to understand the past.

Events include lectures, reenactments, tours of historic sites, excavations, museum exhibits, and workshops. During archaeology month, you can learn about gravestone motifs and the movement to protect, preserve, and document cemetery history, primitive technology and experimental archaeology, or how to make a pine needle basket.

The main event, Archaeology Field Day: “Piecing Together the Past with Archaeology”, is hosted by the Archaeological Society of South Carolina (ASSC). This year Fall Field Day will be held between 10am and 4pm on October 9 at Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site in Charleston. Charles Towne Landing is the site of the first permanent settlement of the Carolina Colony. The park features an animal forest, hiking trails, a museum, an experimental garden, and living history.

Building upon the theme of "Archaeology and Technology", there will be array of demonstrations, exhibits, hands-on activities, and lectures that span the prehistoric and historic occupations of South Carolina. Lectures and exhibits will focus on archaeological work on Carolina Bays and Stone Quarries, Petrographic Analysis of Stone from the Great Pee Dee River, the use of Ground Penetrating Radar in archaeology, and the artifacts from the Hunley.

Meet archaeologists from Charles Towne Landing and around the state while you tour dig sites where Native American and colonial finds have been unearthed. Try your own archaeology skills in hands-on programs and learn how flint was used as a weapon, tool, and fire starter. Hear archaeologists and preservation specialists talk about their current research on topics such as plantation life in the French Caribbean, Lord Anthony Ashley Cooper at St. Giles Kussoe House, Hampton Plantation State Historic Site, the archaeology of Gullah people and South Carolina's 'Separate but Equal' Schools.

Join us to discover the science of archaeology and the history revealed below the surface. Discover how archaeologists see beyond written records and learn about past cultures based on artifacts left behind.

ASSC is an association of professional and avocational archaeologists and concerned citizens uniting together in a cooperative effort to understand the prehistory and history of South Carolina. It is a Society of dedicated members exerting their combined efforts toward the interpretation and preservation of South Carolina's rich cultural heritage. The Society is assisted and supported by the Office of State Archaeology, South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of South Carolina, and also works closely with the Council of South Carolina Professional Archaeologists. For more information about ASSC or to become a member (http://www.assc.net/home).

For information about archaeology month, check out the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (http://www.cas.sc.edu/SCIAA/) or the South Carolina Department of Archives and History (http://shpo.sc.gov/) websites. For more information on Field Day go to www.assc.net.