Archaeology Month Lecture in Beaufort County

The Beaufort County Library system has been celebrating Archaeology Month since 2004 in conjunction with the Beaufort County's Historic Preservationist, Ian Hill. In concert with the goals of South Carolina Archaeology Month, the Beaufort County Planning Department and the Beaufort County Library have teamed yet again to stimulate public pride in our county's long archaeological heritage; increase public understanding of why archaeological research is important; educate the public about how to protect, preserve and study archaeological resources; and encourage legitimate archaeological activities within our state.

This year we are co-sponsoring a lecture on “Civil War Naval Operations and Shipwrecks” by State Underwater Archaeologist Jim Spirek.  Spirek will discuss the various operations of the Union and Confederate navies and the archaeological remains associated with these activities, including the sinking of the stone fleets off Charleston, blockade running, and gunboats lost in the rivers.

We know that there is a great deal of interest in the Civil War and the archaeology of local waterways.  So, we're taking this lecture to County Council Chambers, 100 Ribaut Road, Beaufort because it provides more seating than we have available in the meeting areas at 311 Scott Street.  The lecture begins at 5:30 pm.  The program is free and open to the general public.  

The Library and the Planning Department are not alone in celebrating Archaeology Month.  Our sister cultural heritage group, the Archaeological Society of South Carolina, Hilton Head Chapter, will have a lecture by Richard Hatcher, Historian of the Fort Sumter National Historic Site, at 1 pm on Tuesday, October 16th.  Hatcher's lecture is free and open to the public, too.  The lecture will be held at the Coastal Discovery Museum at Historic Honey Horn off of Hwy 278 on Hilton Head Island.  Contact George Stubbs for additional information: 843-363-5058. www.assc.net