BDC Celebrates Archaeology Month 2018

Update: 8 October 2018 - Dr. Poplin is sending his able associate, Jeff Sherard, to fill his place on Saturday.  Also, a heads up : The Beaufort District Collection Research Room will be closed from 1 PM to 2 PM on Tuesday, October 16th for Amanda to get her lunch. We'll be short staff that day.

October also is Archaeology Month. Due to the re-scheduling of "Altamaha and the Yamasee Indians," we actually have two programs - both with Dr. Eric Poplin -  on tap to celebrate this year. He'll drive down on Tuesday for his lecture about Altamaha and return on Saturday, October 13 for the ever popular artifact identification session.

The Beaufort History Museum / Beaufort County Library local history series Season 3 opening lecture is focusing on the archaeology done at the site of the Yamasee Indians most important town, Altamaha. Dr. Eric Poplin was the lead archaeologist on the excavation and is said to be bringing along some actual artifacts from the dig for program participants to see.

Hurricane Florence caused us to re-schedule this lecture. Registration opened to the general public on September 25. Check this link:  https://beauforthistorymuseum.wildapricot.org/event-3073818 for seats that might still be available.

We will have another archaeology related program on Saturday, October 13th. Dr. Jon Leader, the State Archaeologist, and Jeff Sherard of Brockington & Associates will hold court that day to conduct our 6th Annual "What the Heck IS it? Artifact Identification Session." 

Drop in with your artifacts and try to stump the learned  archaeologists. The program and information is free. Anyone who has objects that they would like to have identified is very welcomed to attend. At past sessions, we've seen "stuff" from prehistoric periods, the time of Jesus, up to relics from Home Depot! (Psst: If it turns out that you have an artifact from Home Depot, these guys will not laugh at you. They are that professional.) Here's the downside: You have do to all the hauling.  Here's the upside: The program will be held in the Beaufort Branch's Theresa Dunn Meeting Room on the first floor so no climbing of stairs or riding the elevator will be involved.

Don't have anything to bring? That's ok, too.  Even passive bystanders who come to the sessions see  interesting objects and learn interesting things - listening to what the archaeologists say about what shows up on their table from library customers. In this case, eavesdropping is not frowned upon.