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#05-196 September 19, 2005

Archery deer and hog hunts offered at Georgetown County wildlife areas 

Explore the Palmetto State’s historic and prehistoric past during the 14th annual South Carolina Archaeology Month Sept. 1-Oct. 1, culminated by the 2005 South Carolina Archaeology Discovery Day Saturday, Oct. 1 at Historic Camden.

Archaeology Month increases public understanding of the value of archaeology, according to Chris Judge, archaeologist with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources’ Heritage Trust Program. Archaeological sites are important to understanding South Carolina’s heritage because they are the main source of our knowledge of the prehistoric and historic past. Heritage Trust acquires and preserves land of cultural or natural significance in the state, and of the 69 heritage preserves statewide, 15 are archaeological sites, protecting at least 44 archaeological sites.

“We want people to realize that South Carolina is a rich archaeological and historical state,” Judge said. “Archaeology Month helps instill a respect for the past and makes people realize that archaeological resources are fragile and irreplaceable. Everybody plays a role in protecting them.”

The many events planned during Archaeology Month, organized by the S.C. Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology with assistance from the archaeological community, will educate members of the public about what they can do to help protect and study the state’s archaeological resources. The theme of this year’s Archaeology Month Poster is Archaeology of Military Sites in South Carolina. Come by the S.C. Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology on the University of South Carolina campus at 1321 Pendleton St. in Columbia to pick up a free copy of the poster. For a schedule describing all the activities of South Carolina Archaeology Month, visit the Web site http://www.cas.sc.edu/sciaa/pdfdocs/archmnth.pdf or call (803) 777-8170 in Columbia.

South Carolina Archaeology Month will culminate Saturday, Oct. 1 at Historic Camden in Camden with the 2005 South Carolina Archaeology Discovery Day, co-sponsored by the South Carolina Archaeological Society and the S.C. Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology. Workshops will include Archaeology for Beginners, Prehistoric Pottery Traditions, Flint knapping, Prehistoric Indian Tools and Weapons, South Carolina Prehistory and Artifacts, Revolutionary War in South Carolina and Identify What You Find.

Also during the Oct. 1 event at Historic Camden, the Archaeology Discovery Trail will include stops on Prehistoric Indian Campsites, Spanish Settlements, Revolutionary War Camps, Catawba Indian Villages, Slave Settlements, Archaeology in a Barrel, Colonial Iron Works, Pewter Spoon Making, Historic Ceramics and Underwater Archaeology. Pre-registration for the 2005 South Carolina Archaeology Discovery Day is encouraged. For more information, call (803) 777-8170 in Columbia or send an e-mail to nrice@sc.edu.

- Written by Greg Lucas -