Native American Heritage Month

Once upon a time, Native Americans roamed our wetlands, fished our estuaries, and camped along our riverbanks. Many small Native American groups lived in the area. These former residents left behind shell middens, pottery shards, and their words upon our landscape: Wimbee, Combahee, Kussoh, Yamasee, Pocotaligo, Coosawhatchie, Daufuskie, Salkehatchie. The groups were rather small and unorganized, key factors in the ability of European newcomers to successfully take advantage of them. Although the Native American tribes populating our area when the Europeans arrived have long since either died out or moved on, their legacy continues.

November is Native American Heritage Month in the U.S. To honor this national month of commemoration and acknowledgment of the contribution of Native Americans, we’re posting historical tidbits about the lowcountry Indians on our Facebook page throughout November.  Click the “like” button if you want to encourage us to continue sharing local history with you via Facebook. 

If you prefer your information to be more thorough and substantive, check out these links in our Virtual BDC:  
Lowcountry South Carolina Indians
Native Americans

Yamassee artifacts from Altamaha

Although the Topper Site  is just outside the traditional boundaries of Beaufort District (in nearby Allendale County), it is a very important archaeological dig that has already changed our understanding of the Native Americans who came to South Carolina during the Ice Age.

For the more visually minded, you can borrow They Were Here: Ice Age Humans in South Carolina [DVD] (975.701 THE - BDC, BEA, BLU, HHI); and Carolina Stories: Finding Clovis [DVD](975.701 CAR – BDC, BEA, HHI, LOB) from our Branch Libraries. 

Please note: In honor of Veterans Day, all units of the Beaufort County Library, including the Beaufort District Collection, will be closed Monday, Nov. 12th.  Enjoy the parade!