DEADLINE IS MARCH 6: ASSC Annual Conference: Call for Papers

ASSC Annual Conference: Call for Papers

Archaeological Society of South Carolina

Annual Conference on South Carolina Archaeology

Call for Papers - Deadline is March 6!

The Archaeological Society of South Carolina invites submissions for the general session of our annual conference on April 14, 2012. Accepted posters and papers must incorporate South Carolina archaeology, but we hope to integrate a range of topics and perspectives.

Avocational archaeologists, undergraduate students, graduate students and professional archaeologists interested in participating are encouraged to email a title and short abstract to James Stewart (stewartseneca@gmail.com) by March 6, 2012.

Paper presentations are limited to 20-minutes. Please specify whether submitting a poster or paper.

DEADLINE MARCH 6: ASSC Annual Conference: Call for Papers

ASSC Annual Conference: Call for Papers

Archaeological Society of South Carolina

Annual Conference on South Carolina Archaeology

Call for Papers - Deadline is March 6!

The Archaeological Society of South Carolina invites submissions for the general session of our annual conference on April 14, 2012. Accepted posters and papers must incorporate South Carolina archaeology, but we hope to integrate a range of topics and perspectives.

Avocational archaeologists, undergraduate students, graduate students and professional archaeologists interested in participating are encouraged to email a title and short abstract to James Stewart (stewartseneca@gmail.com) by March 6, 2012.

Paper presentations are limited to 20-minutes. Please specify whether submitting a poster or paper.

February 18: Charles Towne Landing Archaeology Conference

Saturday, February 18, 2012

9:00am until 5:00pm

Founders Hall, Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site

Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site invites all those who are interested in archaeology to its second annual Charles Towne Landing Archaeology Conference. This year’s theme is “Excavating Social Strata: Lifeways and Contributions of Traditionally Marginalized Groups....”

History is often told from the perspective of those in power. An important role of archaeology is its potential to uncover the footprints left by the rest of the society. To this end, this year’s theme strives to give voice to those whose stories have been excluded or misrepresented, such as women, children, immigrants, servants, and the enslaved. Eight short papers and several posters will highlight recent research focusing on these groups.

Concurrent with the poster and paper sessions, guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy an exhibit entitled “Excavating Social Strata.” This collection of artifacts, on loan from various non-profit institutions and cultural resource management companies, will allow participants to observe the material culture typically associated with certain social groups. An archaeology-themed raffle to benefit non-profit organizations promoting archaeology in our state will be open to visitors as well.

The conference will open in the morning with free coffee and breakfast snacks and close with a reception. In addition, the conference fee ($10) will include admission to the park grounds for the entire day and a demonstration of primitive technologies and a colonial cannon firing.

All guests are encouraged to bring cash for lunch services and raffle tickets. We will not be able to accept checks or credit cards. There are no ATMs on the park.

For more information, contact Charles Towne Landing at (843) 852– 4200 or David Jones at djones@scprt.com. Also, please let us know if you will need overnight accommodations. We may be able to arrange conference rates at nearby hotels if numbers permit.

Interested in a Southeastern Historical Archaeology Conference?

If you are interested in the idea of a conference focusing on the historical archaeology of the Southeastern U.S., here is your chance to weigh in:

Folks,

This post is to gauge interest in starting a conference that focuses on the historical archaeology in the Southeastern United States. I believe there is certainly enough work in the region to support such an endeavor. Several folks (myself, Jodi Barnes, David Jones, and Carl Steen) have been discussing preliminary ideas for a small conference this first year in honor of Stanley South. We were able to reserve the meeting facility at Charles Town Landing State Park in Charleston, SC. It is a wonderful facility in one of the greatest cities on the planet and the perfect spot for a historical archaeology conference. The facility will hold 250 people. Therefore, we would have to limit attendance to that maximum. Our preliminary plans are to hold the conference August 24th and 25th and p...erhaps plan a tour or two for Sunday the 26th. Before we actually go full steam ahead with this plan, we wanted to make sure there was enough interest to support the effort. We are thinking that we will put aside some time during that weekend for all of us to brainstorm the future of this conference. I have posted this to Histarch and ACRA-L so that we can hopefully get good regional representation.

Please let me know if you would be interested in such a conference. If we get enough affirmative responses, we will proceed with our plans. In the meanwhile if you are interested in helping to organize the conference and supporting organization please feel free to contact us.

Thanks,
Natalie Adams Pope
npadams63@gmail.com

The State: New SC-NC Border Will Impact Some Residents

While not directly related to archaeology, The State newspaper had an interesting piece on the affects of the new border between North and South Carolina as a result of a soon to be finished survey. The survey is the first full survey since the original was completed 240 years ago. I thought the article might be of interest to those of us who have spent hours in the archives pieces together land documents in order to draw a fuller picture of what we were excavating.

New SC-NC Border Will Impact Some Residents

By ADAM BEAM
On May 24, 1772, William Moultrie took a break from surveying the South Carolina-North Carolina border to visit little Charlotte Town, which he described as having five or six houses, “very ordinary built of logs.”

Nearly 240 years later, Charlotte has a few more houses. But the passage of time and the developers who built those houses have cut down the trees that Moultrie and his crew blazed with axes to mark the border between the two Carolinas. So when homeowners along that border – and some tax collectors – asked state officials to point out where the boundary is, they couldn’t do it.

[...]

...South Carolina and North Carolina have been working quietly since 1994 on resurveying their border. To avoid having to get congressional approval of the border, which would cost more, the states had to retrace their original boundary from the 1700s. That sent researchers into South Carolina courthouses, looking for clues as to the original border – clues that led them to a 17-foot scroll stuffed in a drawer and an engraved stone in Greenville County that had not been seen in 150 years.

[...]

South Carolina’s entire border with North Carolina has been surveyed just once during its 349-year history. A series of surveys was conducted in pieces between 1735 and 1815, mapping disrupted by wars and a lack of money. Portions of the border have been surveyed two other times, including the 1905 survey, between North Carolina’s Scotland County and South Carolina’s Marlboro County, and a 1928 survey, between North Carolina’s Brunswick and Columbus counties and South Carolina’s Horry County.

In some surveys, particularly the later ones, surveyors left a trail of stone monuments, some of which have been rediscovered. But the majority of the work in the previous surveys was done by marking trees that since have disappeared.

“They probably weren’t thinking about 240 years from then,” Miller said.

[...]

You can read the entire article here.

Archaeological Society of SC Graduate Student Grant-in-Aid Pledge Drive!!

Help support South Carolina Archaeology by donating to the ASSC Grant-in-Aid Program!

Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 5:30pm until Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at 12:00am

The goal of the Grant-in-Aid Program is to award funds ranging from several hundred to one thousand dollars to graduate students researching topics pertaining to South Carolina archaeology. Donations to the Grant-in-Aid Program promote research that advances our knowledge of the history and prehistory of South Carolina and of the United States. To date, this program has assisted the research of more than 40 students and has been instrumental in allowing a number of archaeologists to move on and become respected members of the academic and applied archaeology professions.

Suggested donation amounts start around $25 from individuals and $100 from organizations and businesses. However, no contribution is too small, and all are tax deductible. Contributions to the Grant-in-Aid fund will be acknowledged in the Society's newsletter and on the ASSC’s website, unless contributors prefer to remain anonymous.

Please make contributions before April 10, 2012 to support this year’s Grant-in-Aid recipients. Donations can be made via PayPal by using the link on our website: http://www.assc.net/grant-in-aid/call-for-donations

Thank you in advance for your support of this important program!

[Editors Note: I was one of the fortunate recepients of funding from this program and it was invaluable in terms of allowing me to do testing that strengthened my thesis. It is a worthy cause that I give to and I hope you will consider it as well.]

COMING IN MARCH!: Johannes Kolb Archaeology & Education Project

Johannes Kolb Archaeology and Education Project

Great Pee Dee River Heritage Preserve, Darlington County

 

March 5-10, 12-16, 2012, Open 9am to 4pm daily

Public Day is March 10, 2012

The sixteenth field season is a few weeks away and we are looking forward to spending time in the Pee Dee again this year! Digging long forgotten objects from the ground produces a tremendous amount of excitement in many of us! Equally exciting is seeing in person how the artifacts pulled from the ground were used in real life. 

We’ve invited a host of historic reenactors and primitive skills demonstrators for Public Day to help us interpret the lives of those that once called the Kolb site home. Join us during our two-week dig or on Public Day to help us continue the long history of archaeological investigation in the Pee Dee.

The Johannes Kolb Archaeology and Education Project is possible through the cooperative efforts of the SC Department of Natural Resources, Diachronic Research Foundation, the University of South Carolina Lancaster and Citizens of the Pee Dee.

For more information and directions, visit:

Kolb Site Archaeology

Great Pee Dee Heritage Preserve Directions

Or contact Sean Taylor at:
TaylorS@dnr.sc.gov (803) 734-3753

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, color, national origin, religion, disability or age. Direct inquiries to the Office of Human Resources, P.O. Box 167, Columbia, S.C. 29202.

ASSC Annual Conference: Call for Papers

Archaeological Society of South Carolina

Annual Conference on South Carolina Archaeology

Call for Papers - Deadline is March 6!

The Archaeological Society of South Carolina invites submissions for the general session of our annual conference on April 14, 2012. Accepted posters and papers must incorporate South Carolina archaeology, but we hope to integrate a range of topics and perspectives.

Avocational archaeologists, undergraduate students, graduate students and professional archaeologists interested in participating are encouraged to email a title and short abstract to James Stewart (stewartseneca@gmail.com) by March 6, 2012.

Paper presentations are limited to 20-minutes. Please specify whether submitting a poster or paper.

February 9: Joseph McGill and the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry

Beaufort County Historical Society & the SC Humanities Council present Joseph McGill at noon on Thursday, Feb 9th.

Joseph McGill, Jr. will be discussing the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry in first person and in uniform. McGill, a native of Kingstree, SC, is currently a Program Officer for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He works in the Southern Office in Charleston, SC and is responsible for the states of Alabama, Louisiana, and South Carolina.

Mr. McGill received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional English from South Carolina State University. He spent six years in the United States Air Force. He is the founder of Company "I" 54th Massachusetts Reenactment Regiment in Charleston, SC.

The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry was the regiment portrayed in the award-winning movie Glory. As a Civil War re enactor, Mr. McGill participates in parades, living history presentations, lectures, and battle reenactments.

Mr. McGill is a member of the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission and the African American Historical Alliance.

Please RSVP to Pamela Ovens 843-785-2767 by Feb. 6th at 5 pm for a $10 optional light lunch catered by Debbi Covington served at 11:30 prior to the meeting.

All meetings are held at noon at the Beaufort Yacht & Sailing Club, Meridian Rd., Beaufort, SC . The public is welcome and encouraged to attend at no charge. this event is in partnership with the SC Humanities Council.

Upcoming Events:
May 17th Annual Meeting

The Beaufort County Historical Society is the oldest association in Beaufort County dedicated to the study and preservation of history. A member based organization, the society was established in 1939.
For further information contact: Pamela Ovens-President
sail@singlestar.us or call 843-785-2767

February 9: African American Civil War Lecture at Penn Center

African American Civil War Lecture at Penn Center

The South Carolina African American Heritage Commission is proud to announce that its Foundation has been awarded a $7,000.00 matching grant from The Humanities Council SC for the "African American Civil War Lecture Series". The goal of the lecture series is to enlighten the general public to the roles of African Americans during the American Civil War, moreover the series will provide opportunities for much needed dialogue about one of the most pivotal events in United States history. The series is timely and appropriate because through 2015 this nation will be commemorating the sesquicentennial of the war.

"The Civil War was the defining moment in American history," says Dr. Abel Bartley, Director of the Pan-African Studies Program at Clemson University. "It split the nation in two before and after slavery," he adds. "It is an event which continues to separate Americans," he concludes.

The following venues, dates, presenters and subject matters will be addressed:

The Penn Center, 16 Penn Center Circle W. St. Helena, SC / These lectures will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2012 from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm in Darrah Hall.

* Dr. Eric Emerson: "The Ordinance of Secession"
* Dr. Abel Bartley: "The Causes of the War"
* Nicole Green: "Slavery in South Carolina"
* Rosalyn Brown: "The Port Royal Experiment"
　
Upcoming Lectures:
The Hartsville Memorial Library, 147 West College Avenue, Hartsville, SC / These lectures will be held on Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
* Dr. Bernard Powers: "Black Charlestonians"
* Attorney Billy Jenkinson: "Lieutenant Stephen Swails"
* Donel Singleton: "Resistance, Runaways and Slave Revolts"
* Dr. Larry Watkins: "Black Confederates"
　
The Spartanburg Regional History Museum, 200 E. St. John Street, Spartanburg, SC / These lectures will be held on Thursday, August 23, 2012 from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
* Dr. Veronica Gerald: "Grapevine: How African Americans Communicated During the Civil War"
* Dr. Eric Emerson: "The Ordinance of Secession"
* Nicole Green: "Slavery in South Carolina"
* Dr. Abel Bartley: "The Causes of the War"
　
The South Carolina Department of Archives and History, 8301 Parklane Road, Columbia, SC / These lectures will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2012 from 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
* Dr. Veronica Gerald: "Grapevine: How African Americans Communicated During the Civil War"
* Ernest Parks: "The Battle of Sol Legare"
* Dr. Larry Watson: "Black Confederates"
* Jeannie Cyraique: "The Men at the Meeting with General Sherman

"With particular but not exclusive emphasis on the South Carolina experience, this multifaceted lecture series will delve deeply into the daunting issues that propelled the nation into an unprecedented fratricidal conflict, the myriad roles played by African Americans and the lasting implications for our time," says Dr. Bernard E. Powers, Jr., Professor of History and Associate Chairman at the College of Charleston. "Given the nature of the subjects, I expect many lively, frank and enlightening discussions to result ; it will be a welcome and needed educational opportunity," adds Dr. Powers.

All lectures are free and open to the public. Anyone needing additional information on the lectures should contact Joseph McGill, Commissioner for the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission and project coordinator. He can be reached at 843-408-7727.

The mission of the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission is to identify and promote the preservation of historic sites, structures, buildings, and culture of the African American experience in South Carolina and to assist and enhance the efforts of the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. The 15-member commission includes representatives from all regions of the state.

This event is free and open to the public. The Penn Center is located on Martin L. King, Jr. Drive, St. Helena Island, SC.

For more information, contact the Penn Center at (843) 838-2474 or Joseph McGill at (843) 408-7727 or email: joseph_mcgill@nthp.org

March 23: Conference on Native American Archaeological Research in the Catawba/Wateree Valley, 1000-1860 A.D.

Conference on Native American Archaeological Research in the Catawba/Wateree Valley, 1000-1860 A.D.

Sponsored by: University of South Carolina Lancaster Native American Studies Program

Organizers: Stephen Criswell and Christopher Judge

Funded by: Charlotte Area Educational Consortium

USC Lancaster
Friday March 23, 2012
Bundy Auditorium
Lancaster, South Carolina

Conference Abstract
The unique history and cultural traditions of the indigenous populations of the Catawba/Wateree region were shaped by very early contact with Europeans and subsequent devastations as a result of disease, warfare, and attempts at removal. For these Native Americans, who were often erased from written histories, archaeological research provides the only insight into histories and cultures of these indigenous populations and their interactions with Europeans. Scholars from around the Carolinas, including from CAEC institutions, have approached their fieldwork and research in this region from a variety of perspectives and timeframes, from prehistoric Woodland and Mississippian eras to the antebellum period. USC Lancaster’s “Native American Archaeological Research in the Catawba/Wateree Valley, 1000-1860 A.D.” conference attempts
to bring these researchers together for a comprehensive review of this scholarship, a discussion of conflicting perspectives, and a synthesis of discoveries and theories.

The format of the conference will be 30 minute papers followed by a panel of discussants and concluding with an opportunity for audience and participant questions and answers.

ASSC members: Do we have your current email address?

Attention ASSC Members:

Have you changed your email since last year at this time?

Please email Erika Shofner, ASSC Secretary if you have so we can keep you informed via our emailing list. Erika can be reached at Ehshof@gmail.com

Memo to the ASSC membership

Editor's note: Congrats to Chris on his election! ASSC could not ask for a better president!

MEMO

TO: The membership of the Archaeological Society of South Carolina.

FROM: Christopher Judge, President 2012/2013

RE: The new year and beyond

DATE: February 1, 2012

Greeting members of the ASSC. I am honored to have been nominated and elected to be the President of our ASSC. First let me state that I hope to get a chance to visit all of the Chapters and visit with you in your part of the state. Last year I visited with Hilton Head and Upstate in a lecture capacity so I will begin with Coastal and Charleston.

Chapter Presidents, I urge you to try to attend our executive meetings if at all possible. I know our Saturday morning schedule can ruin a weekend. If you cannot make it please send a proxy or send me an email with current activities, comments and needs so that I may bring them to the attention of the Officers and Board. I want to reach out to the chapters. The meetings for 2012 will be Feb 11, March 24, APRIL 14 ANNUAL CONFERENCE, May 19, July 21, Sept 8 and Nov 17th. All of these meetings are open to any and all members. The meetings will be held in Room 108 Hamilton College, Department of Anthropology USC Columbia. The street address is 1512 Pendleton Street 29208. The building is locked so I need to know if you are coming so I can expect you and let you in. Enter the building from the north or east side ground floor.

Chapter Presidents and members, please send Chan Funk, our newsletter editor, your meeting dates, locations, speaker topics and news about what you do. Take some pictures and email them to Chan. His email is chanfunk@aol.com. I plan on submitting a President’s column each time to Chan. Don’t forget to update the ASSC website and Facebook pages too.

My concerns for 2012 include boosting membership, reconnecting with other archaeological organizations in the state, increasing attendance at our two signature events—Annual Conference on SC Archaeology and Fall Field Day and meeting our stated mission.

Please contact me with concerns, comments and ideas. My email is judge@sc.edu.

Chris Judge