SC citizens urged to report flood-exposed archaeological and paleontological sites
Nov. 4, 2015
Contact: Peggy Binette, Public Relations, University of South Carolina
803-777-7704; peggy@mailbox.sc.edu
The recent historic flooding in South Carolina may have exposed archaeological and
paleontological sites. The South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology
(SCIAA) at the University of South Carolina and the South Carolina State Museum
are urging citizens to report these potential sites to appropriate authorities for
official identification.
To record these sites SCIAA and other state agencies are embarking on a
project called the South Carolina Archaeological and Paleontological
Flood Impact Assessment.
Project researchers, who include State Archaeologist Jon Leader and State
Underwater Archaeologist James Spirek, will investigate known sites to
assess potential erosion or damages caused by the floods, as well as
respond to reports by the public concerning newly discovered sites exposed
through erosion or scouring. SCIAA already has received several public reports
concerning the exposure of several underwater sites including some barges,
a dug-out canoe and the fossilized remains of a mammoth.
The influx of water that caused major damage to houses, roads and bridge
systems also have altered the landscape causing erosion to the riverbanks
and waterways of the state. Spirek says many of these areas have been
occupied by people for hundreds of years, and archaeological sites
related to the prehistory and history of South Carolina have been exposed
or damaged.
“Due to the large volumes of water draining from the impacted areas in the
Midlands and Lowcountry, we anticipate scouring and erosion to have exposed
a variety of archaeological sites adjacent the banks. These may include Native
American habitation sites consisting of pottery and lithic points, and other sites
on the bottoms of the rivers that may have caused scouring at shipwrecks,”
Spirek says.
Additionally, the floods likely uncovered submerged fossil deposits residing
in state waterways, he says.
Spirek and Leader need for the public to report sites so that they can be
assessed, documented and have plans developed for their preservation.
Citizens may encounter four types of sites:
· Archaeological sites on land -- both prehistoric and historic -- and cemeteries.
Contact the state archaeologist (Leader).
· Archaeological sites -- both prehistoric and historic -- submerged or near the
water. Contact the state underwater archaeologist (Spirek).
· Paleontological sites on land or in the rivers and waterways. Contact
the curator of the natural history at the South Carolina State Museum (David Cicimurri).
· Historic buildings and monuments that have been damaged or exposed.
Contact the South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office (Elizabeth Johnson).
Below is contact information for reporting potential sites:
State Archaeologist: Jonathan M. Leader
South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology
College of Arts and Sciences
University of South Carolina
Phone: 803-576-6560
Email: leader@sc.edu
State Underwater Archaeologist: James Spirek
South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology
College of Arts and Sciences
University of South Carolina
Phone: 803-576-6566
Email: spirek@sc.edu
Curator of Natural History: David Cicimurri
South Carolina State Museum
Phone: 803-898-4946
Email: dave.cicimurri@scmuseum.org
Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer: Elizabeth Johnson
South Carolina Department of Archives and History
Phone: 803-896-6168
Email: emjohnson@scdah.state.sc.us
