Archaeological Pathways to Historic Site Development PDF
Preview Archaeological Pathways to Historic Site Development
ARCHAEOLOGICAL PATHWAYS TO HISTORIC SITE DEVELOPMENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL PATHWAYS TO HISTORIC SITE DEVELOPMENT BY STANLEY SOUTH South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anrhropology AND Institute for Southern Studies University of South Carolina Columbia. South Carolina Springer Science+Business Media, LLC Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publieation Data South, Stanley A. Arehaeologieal pathways to historie site developmentiStanley South. p. em. Includes bibliographieal referenees and index. ISBN 978-1-4613-5510-6 ISBN 978-1-4615-1349-0 (eBook) DOI 10.1007/978-1-4615-1349-0 I. Charles Towne Landing (Charleston, S.c.) 2. Charleston (S.C.)-Antiquities. 3. Charleston (S.C.)-History-17th eentury. 4. Charleston (S.C.)-Buildings, struetures, ete. 5. Exeavations (Arehaeology)-South Carolina-Charleston. 6. Historie sites-Conservation and restoration-South Carolina-Charleston. 7. Historie sites-Conservation and restoration-South Carolina-Charleston-Planning. I. Title. F279.C447 S65 2001 975.7'915-de21 2001029438 ISBN 978-1-46l3-551 0-6 ©2002 Springer Science+Business Media New York Originally published by Kluwer Academic I Plenum Publishers in 2002 Softcover reprint ofthe hardcover 1st edition 2002 10987654321 A c.I.P. reeord for this book is available from the Library of Congress All rights reserved No part of this book may be reprodueed, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, eleetronie, meehanieal, photoeopying, mierofilming, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher Formy friends and fellow groundhogs ChesterDePratter, Jim Legg, and Dick Polhemus PREFACE In this book I walk with the reader along the bothered me that some of my colleagues, in their archaeological pathways traveled by many reports of archaeological activity on documented researchers in the process of historic site historic sites, never mention finding evidence of development. The sponsors, historians, previous American Indian occupation. Sites archaeologists, and administrators who have selected by Europeans, usually on high ground traveled those pathways may find familiarmuch of bordering the deep water channel of navigatable what I say here. The pathways exploring the past streams, are those also once preferred by Native involve research in documents and the Americans for the access to environmental archaeological record, using the best methods of resources they afford. How could Native both, in an attempt to understand the material American material culture not be present on such culture remains left behind, not only by explorers sites? and colonists from Europeand Africa, butalso by I once asked a well-known archaeological Native Americanswho lived in theenvironmentfor colleague why it was that such evidence did not millenia before those strangers appeared on the appear in his reports from such sites, and the reply scene. In explaining the archaeological record of was, "Gh, I find all kinds of Indian things on the American Indians Ilean on notonly archaeological historic sites I dig, but that's not why I'm there. colleagues who have dug elsewhere, but on That's not my area of expertise! I wouldn't dare observations of ethnographers and others who attempt toexplain those things about which Iknow have observed them during the historic period. so little." I was appalled. How could an Those are the pathways to historic site archaeologist not acknowledge the presence of development I present in this book. It is the such major clues to past human activity on a site? process of historical archaeology. But the "Gh, Isave them, but to try to interpretthem would archaeologist must look beyond the months of be arrogance on my part," he answered. data-gathering field work and beyond the In this book I have arrogantly attempted to traditional artifact exhibits in museums. There present what I found in my search for evidence of must be a concern for the explanation of the the 1670-1680Charles Towne settlement, whether archaeological record to the public who visit the it related to that occupation, the plantation period excavatedsite to learnaboutthe past. An important that followed, or the thousands of years of step is historic site (South 1977:xiv) occupation on the site by Native Americans. In carrying out archaeology there, I was involved in development ofexplanatory exhibits on an the process of historic site development for the archaeological site. This takes the form of educationandentertainmentofthevisiting public palisasdes placed in archaeologically a process familiar to many of my colleagues who revealed ditches, parapets placed beside have traveled similar pathways to understanding, excavated moats, kivas stabilized and as America becomes evermore fascinated by the restored, ceremonial structures rebuilt on clues left behind by those who wentbefore. top of temple mounds, and masonry ruins Naturally, being so close to the data emerging stabilized - all under the guidance of the from myarchaeological work at theCharlesTowne archaeologist. settlement site, I perhaps arrogantly saw the development of the site for the public as an The archaeologist who examines the material opportunity to interpret what I had found through remains from a documented historic site, such as anemphasis on whatmy research had revealed, not the 1670-1680 Charles Towne, South Carolina only about the European colonists at Charles example presented here, with the expectation that Towne, but the plantation period following, and the record found willsimply reflectthatoccupation particularly what I had learned of the rich legacy alone, is living in a dream world. It has always the Native American occupation had produced. To vii viii ARCHAEOLOGICAL PATHWAYS share this legacy I urged that the Tricentennial my colleague Chester DePratter and me in Commissionplace an emphasis on therole research partnership with the United StatesMarineCorps. plays in interpretation through historic site This book, fortuitously timed with the new development, not only of the Charles Towne archaeological pathway to historicsitedevelopment settlement (the main interest of the commission), now being traveled at theCharlesTowne settlement but also on the role African Americans and Native site, is an example ofsimilarefforts being carried Americans played on the stage that is Albemarle outon historic sites throughout America Point. But such was not to be, and thirty years elapsed. Acknowledgments By 1996, the responsibility the archaeologist has to produce a published resultofresearch, about In addition to the acknowldgements I wrote in which I so urgently and enthusiastically preached the 1974preface (Appendix), I am indebted to the in my 1974 preface (Appendix), began to weigh Robert L. Stephenson Archaeological Research heavily on me. Iapplied for, and received, a grant Fund at the South Carolina Institute of from the Robert L. Stephenson Archaeological Archaeologyand Anthropology atthe Universityof Research Fund at the South Carolina Institute of South Carolina for a grant that allowed me to Archaeology and Anthropology, at the University employ Lisa Hudgins to transfer my 1974 ofSouth Carolina, to prepare for publication ofmy typewritten manuscript to the computer. I am 1974 manuscript, "Man on Albemarle Point." For grateful to her for the many hours she spent thatsupportIam indeed grateful. working on the tables and text so that my putting By spring 1999 the work of scanning the the pieces together was made much easier. I also volume had been carried out by LisaHudgins, and thank Bruce Rippeteau, directorofthe Institute, for I was heavily involved in collating the photographs his support in my research efforts. with the text, when I received an invitation from I also want to thank Adam King, archaeologist William R. (Buddy) Jennings, director of the at the Savannah River Archaeological Research South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation Program at SCIAA for recalibrating the and Tourism (PRT). radiocarbon dates reported herein. I was invited to join in a PRT implementation I thank my colleague and friend Chester strategy for the future ofCharles Towne Landing DePratterfor reading the original manuscriptmany State Historic Site, where a new pathway for the years ago and making his suggestions as to interpretation of the site been developed. This improving it. Thanks, too, to my colleague James pathway involves historical and archaeological Legg, who assisted with some ofthe graphics, and research along the lines I had recommended 30 to Richard Polhemus, who helped with artifact years ago. Under the supervision of PRT identification and processing in the laboratory. I archaeologist David Jones, a site archaeologist, am grateful to curator Sharon Pekrul who helped Elsie Eubanks, was hired, and an assistant, Rusty me recover artifacts for reexamination from the Clark. It is a pleasure working with these curatorialfacility. archaeologists, and with Charles Towne Landing The time spent on this book in recent months State Historic Site Manager Ron Fischer, to carry was made possible by a grant from an anonymous ourourmutual historic site developmentgoals. donor, for which Iam grateful. Iam again involved as principal investigatorfor Thanks also to the archaeologists, Michael the new archaeological pathway and have hired Stoner, David Jones, Elsie Eubanks, Rusty Clark, Michael Stoner to supervise the excavation and and Linda (Polly) Worthy, and crew members analysis of the results. I am excitedly working Andrew Agha, Heathley Johnson, Nicole with Mike, David, Elsie, and Rusty, along with Isenbarger, Katrina Epps and Raye Wall, for PRT officials, as excavation for data recovery as a making discovery through archaeology at Charles basic interpretive tool is undertaken. Towne Landing State Historic Site in the 21st In this new project, which began in May 2000, century a success. Thanks also to the volunteers visitors on bleachers viewed excavations in who contributed many hours to the project. progress while archaeological and historical I am especially grateful to Buddy Jennings, interpretation were presented by archaeologists and director of the South Carolina Department of guides. This public education model was Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and Mike Foley, developed over many years of excavation and chiefofResource Management and Interpretation interpretation at the site of 16th century Spanish for PRT, for the opportunity to become involved Santa Elena on Parris Island, South Carolina by once again in the pathway to historic site Preface ix development and interpretation at Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site. Thanks, also, to Ron Fischer, park manager, for his support of our research there. I am grateful to my wife, Janet Reddy, who has supported me throughout my preoccupation with my occupation that too often is an obsession at the sacrifice ofother things. I am grateful, too, for herhelp inediting the referencesforthis book. Finally, I am grateful to Eliot Werner, executive editor for Behavioral and Social Sciences, and Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers for agreeing to publish this book. CONTENTS ProjectBackground Introduction (1971) Robert L. Stephenson xiii Part I. The Historical Pathway at the Charles Towne Settlement: 1670·1680 1. TheHistoricalPathway 3 2. TheMethodological Pathway 31 3. TheArchaeologicalPathwayto the 1670Fortifications 55 Part II. The Archaeological Pathway to the 18th and 19th Centuries 4. OldTownPlantation 109 Part III. The Archaeological Pathway to Native Americans on Albemarle Point 5. The Archaic, Formative and Developmental Periods 139 6. APathwayto theClimactic Period: ACeremonialCenter 185 7. ThePottery Pathway at theCeremonialCenter 217 8. TheMaterialCulturePathway to theCeremonialCenter 233 9. The Pathway to Decline 245 Appendix 265 • ChicoraStylisticCeramicAttributes (1974) Leland Ferguson 267 • AListofProveniences from theCeremonialCenter 271 • Preface to "Man on Albemarle Point" (1974) Stanley South 273 • NotesTranslated on the Depositionsofthe EnglishDefector Brian Fitzpatrickand the Spanish Spy Antonio Camunas St. Julian Ravenel Childs 281 • ASummaryofthe Resultsofthe Archaeological Project atCharlesTowne in 2000 and 2001 Stanley South 287 • Discovery at 1670CharlesTowne Michael1. Stoner 291 References 295 ListofSubtitles 307 List of Figures 313 ListofTables 325 Index 327 xi PROJECT BACKGROUND INTRODUCTION (1971) Robert L. Stephenson From the pages of the earth, the historical archaeologist gathers bits ~~d pieces representing pasthuman activity and relates these to the shreds and pate~es sUfVlvmg ~ the worn documents and faded words of history. From this collectIOn .of essentially meaningless, unique fragments ofthe past, he abstracts the order, and stnves to press a meaning (South:1969a). The SouthCarolinaTricentennialCommission was This particular plot of land was taken up as a established bytheGeneral Assembly to p~ovide the plantation shortly afterthe originalcolon~ts moved leadership and direction for the celebratIO~ ofthe from itto the peninsula, called OysterPomt, only a 300th anniversary ofEuropean settlement 10 what decade after founding the colony. The land is now the State ofSouthCarolina. Many kinds of changed hands several times and, in the mid-19th activities were developed for the tricentennial year. century, came into the possession of th~ ~gare Therewerecounty and local celebrations, exhibits, family. Throughout nearly thr~ cen~unes It ~as publications, graphic arts displays, performing remained as a beautiful plantatIon WIth Spamsh arts, house restorations, and other events. The moss-draped oaks, blossoming shrubs, lovely main focal points, though, were the three ponds, herons, egrets, other gorgeous birds and Tricentennial Centers. One was located at native animals, and varying amounts of shallow Charleston to mark the first century, one at tilled agricultural land. Adescendantofthe Leg~e Columbia to mark the second century, and one at family, Mrs. Waring has devoted muc~ ofher lIfe Greenville to mark the third century of the to maintaining, landscaping, and plantmg the Old development ofSouth Carolina. The tricentennial Town Plantation as a place of beauty, and her year opened in April 1970 to commemorate the husband has aided her in every way possible. Itis landing ofthe colonists on the banks ofth~Ashley ofinterest to note, too, that Dr. Waring is the uncle River in that month in 1670, and closed 10 Apnl of the late Dr. Antonio 1. Waring of Savannah, 1971. who contributed so much to southeastern The developmentoftheTricentennialCenterin archaeology beforehis untimely death. Theefforts Charleston took place on a large an~ beau.tif~l tract ofthe Warings to create and preserve the beauty of of land within the present cIty lImIts of this place have been thoroughly suc~essfuL On.a metropolitan Charleston. Here, whe.re the visitsome years ago, the late WaltDIsney calledIt colonists first landed, the Old Town PlantatIOn had "averitablefairyland." . magnificently preserved the.original.site and its With the advent ofthe Tricentennial Year, the surroundings for three centunes. AmId the hustle Warings sold the plantation to t.he State of Sou~ and bustle ofmodem progress, surrounded by the Carolina for the purposeofcreatIng a greatpar~10 achievements of a great modern city with its commemoration ofthe first efforts ofthe colomsts freeways, housing projects, community centers, to found a settlement here. They retained the airports, and industrial growth, a large tract o~oyer privilege of continuing to live in the plantation 200 acres was preserved as an almost pnstme house on the property. Mrs. Wari~g has continu~d garden spot. This was no accident. It is a tri~ute with the landscaping and developmg ofthe scemc to the devotion to history and to beauty that IS a beauty ofthe plantation. . part of the South Carolinian's spirit an~ tradition. It was in this setting that South CarolIna first It is especially a tribute to the devotIOn of ~ne scientific archeological excavations were to take SouthCarolinian, Mrs. Ferdinanda LegareWanng, place onan historic site ofthe 17thcentury. and to her husband Dr. Joseph I. Waring. xiii
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