Happy November! Every year, the United States celebrates Native American Heritage Month to honor the achievements and contributions of Native Americans throughout history. It was first celebrated in November of 1990 when President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution three months prior, and the month officially became designated as “National American Indian Heritage Month.”
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Our WordPress blog contains a resource guide on Native Americans of the South Carolina Coastal Plain as well as an overview of the Yamasee War, 1715 – 1717; both of which provide various online resources, materials available for checkout with a Beaufort County Library card, and materials available to view inside of the BDC Research Room.
The Beaufort District Collection contains many materials on archaeology and the history of Native Americans in Beaufort District. What better way is there to honor Native American Heritage Month than to display a portion of said materials in our Research Room? Let’s dive in!
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There were many Native American tribes that occupied the coastal plains of South Carolina from pre-historic times up through the colonial period, such as the Combahee, Coosawhatchie, Huspah, Pocotaligo, Sadkeche, Wimbee, Yamasee, and many more. These groups were relatively small in size but left a significant mark on our area, so much so that their descendants are working today to preserve their culture for generations to come. Archaeologists (and even unsuspecting travelers) are also hard at work uncovering shell middens, tools, pottery shards, and many other hand-crafted items that were made by these tribes.
Indigenous Carolinians: A History from Original Peoples to Present-Day Tribes by David Rahahe-tih Webb (2025) explores the histories and cultures of this region's First Peoples, from the Rappahannock River of current day Virginia to the Edisto River of South Carolina. He weaves oral tradition, language, archaeology, and ethnography into a narrative that uplifts four diverse ethnolinguistic cultures in such a way as to challenge long-held colonial assumptions about the First Peoples of the Southeastern seaboard. Indigenous Carolinians is an in-depth history of the reclamation of heritage by a valiant group of people who refused to allow their tribal identities to fade.
Bert W. Bierer created Indian Arrowheads and Spearheads in the Carolinas: A Field Guide (1974), an in-depth field guide of arrow and spear heads found throughout the history of the Carolinas. Bierer begins with basic terminologies, includes diagrams of spears, and discusses the over 300 different kinds of “stone projectile points." I really tried to choose a favorite, but they were all so interesting to learn about. Many are named after the creek or mountain they were discovered near, or for the odd shape they flaunt.
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There is indeed another title by Bert W. Bierer on stone projectile points; however, it covers more ground than just spearheads. Indians and Artifacts in the Southeast (1977) also digs into other important stone tools along with pipes, pottery, and shell art, all crafted by hand. Petroglyphs, or pictographs, created by various tribes are also included with diagrams and translations. If that was not enough fascinating facts for you, Bierer also included in-depth overviews of Native American trails and villages across the Southeast, including a whole page dedicated to shell rings on Hilton Head!
From amateur archaeologists to steadfast scholars, Archaeology in South Carolina: Exploring the Hidden Heritage of the Palmetto State edited by Adam King (2016) contains an abundance of archaeological basics, histories, and project overviews that readers of all knowledge levels are bound to be amazed by. This title begins by exploring early Paleo-Indian and Native American cultures across the state, their interactions with the land as well as with other peoples. Then, the narrative jumps forward to the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, diving into plantation and Civil War era elements.
The Oyster and the South Carolina Indian by Bob Gracey with art by Sonny Baines was published in the May/June 1972 publication of the South Carolina Wildlife Magazine. Gracey dives into shell midden excavations in South Carolina, where artifacts such as bones, pottery shards, and (most notably) oysters were collected. These oysters varied in shape and size, but archaeologists noted that these shells were significantly larger than what we would find in our waters today.
From the December 29, 1903, publication of the Beaufort Gazette is an article written by Miss Alice Lathrop titled “Archaeological Remains on St. Helena: Indian Names and Legends.” This article was originally a paper read before The Club on Saint Helena. From it came a series on local history within the Beaufort Gazette. Lathrop describes a mound on Little Island just off of Whale Branch that was recently excavated and found to have walls and floors. It took twelve days to excavate, during which arrowheads, clay pots, pebble hammers, and even skeletal remains were discovered.
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The Sandlapper Magazine began publishing in 1968— taking a small hiatus in the mid 1980’s — and continued publishing until its final release in the spring of 2012. The Beaufort District Collection holds bound copies of the monthly publication from 1968-2005 and monthly copies throughout 2010 and 2011. On the third shelf, one of our bound copies is open to an article titled “Native Spirit: A Renaissance of American Indian Culture” by Dr. Will Moreau Goins, published in the Autumn 2002 edition. Dr. Goins highlights various aspects of Native American culture such as beadwork, basketry, dance, and so much more, all of which is spiritedly celebrated at heritage festivals throughout the state.
Vertical files hold materials such as clippings, pamphlets, or articles pertaining to the subject of the file. These files act as a gateway; they can provide context that may point researchers to a new path of resources. If you are interested in learning more about the importance and use of these files, you can check out The Value of Historical (and Permanent) Vertical Files. Our collection holds multiple vertical files related to Native American history in Beaufort District, including those listed in the display, individuals, archaeological investigations, and so much more. The fascinating magazine and newspaper articles from shelf two were both found in the Native Americans vertical file. You never know what gems you may find!
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SC Native Pathways: A Visitor's & Resource Guide to American Indian Heritage & Historic Sites in South Carolina by Dr. Will Moreau Goins (2008) is a wonderful resource for those looking to travel the Palmetto State to learn more about its expansive Native history. Dr. Goins begins with basic state facts and then leads into tribal and organizational information. In the book, South Carolina’s counties are split into three regions: Coastal, Midlands, and Upstate. From here, one can find recreational recommendations such as historic marker sites, monuments, museums, state parks, visitor centers, and so much more. For the “authentic Native American Indian experience,” Dr. Goins recommends the best heritage events and powwows that one can attend throughout the state!
Denise I. Bossy combines the findings of both archaeologists and historians to weave a cohesive Yamasee history in The Yamasee Indians from Florida to South Carolina (2018). Until recently, the Yamasee’s tribal identity was often overlooked and dwindled down to their involvement in the War with colonists. But there is so much more to learn about their complex culture! Readers of this book will follow their migration routes from Spanish Florida in the seventeenth century to South Carolina through to the Yamasee War in order to learn how their mastery in networking aided them in their survival.
Hiding in the back of the case is a copy of map number 811, titled “Indians of the South Carolina Lowcountry, 1562-1751” from J. Stewart. This map stretches from the tip of present-day Tybee Island all the way up the coast to Georgetown. It depicts the following Native American peoples living in Beaufort County: the Combahee, Didiwah, Datha, Escamacu, Kussah, Polawana, Stalame, Washua, Wimbee, Winyah, and the Witcheaugh.
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If you are interested in any of the materials I have shared or wish to explore our collection for yourself: walk-ins are sometimes accepted, while appointments are always encouraged. To make an appointment, send an email to bdc@bcgov.net or give us a call at 843-255-6468. We hope to hear from you soon!
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