Celebrating Archaeology

Throughout the year, the Beaufort District Collection brings in authors and speakers who address local history, archaeology, Gullah culture, genealogy, natural history and preservation issues. We try to mix days of the week and times of the day so that some programs are held on evenings and/or weekends at various locations to accommodate working families and middle and high school students. Here's what we've planned for Archaeology Month in October: 

Prof. Chris Judge, USC-Lancaster

Our expert and special guest is Professor Chris Judge of USC-Lancaster, a very popular speaker with Beaufort County residents.  His research focus is Native American archaeology. His lectures are co-sponsored by the Beaufort District Collection's decade long partner for Archaeology Month, Beaufort County Planning.  2014 lectures are co-sponsored by South Carolina Historical Society; the Beaufort Chapter and Hilton Head Chapters, ASSC; Coastal Discovery Museum, and the Arkhaois Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Film Festival.

Wed., Oct. 22, 2014   

• Coastal Discovery Museum , Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island at Noon.
• Learn about the archaeology of the local Yamasee Indians from 1684 up to the start of the Yamasee War, the most significant Native uprising of the early colonial period.
   
• Beaufort District Collection, 2nd floor, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort at 6 pm. 
• Between 1000 BC and AD 1200 Native American societies in South Carolina introduced the bow and arrow, expanded recently invented clay pottery traditions, began growing native crops in gardens and buried certain individuals with great fanfare and effort.  Archaeologists call these societies "Woodland" and new research across the Carolinas is shedding new light on these people. This talk will explore these topics.

If you have an artifact (or two or even four) lying around your house that you're just dying to know what it is, bring it (or them) to one of the "What The Heck Is It?" sessions.

• South of the Broad River residents may prefer to take their artifacts to the session at Coastal Discovery Museum for South of the Broad River residents on October 11th, 1 - 4 pm.

• North of the Broad River residents may prefer to attend the BDC and the Beaufort Chapter, ASSC session on Saturday, October 18th at the BDC, 2nd floor, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort - which just so happens to also be International Archaeology Day.  Dr. Eric Poplin and Dr. Jonathan Leader will be returning to identify your artifacts.  

Could there be a better way to celebrate? We think, "Not!"  All lectures and "What the Heck Is It?" sessions are free and open to the public. Please join us!