Dig unearths archeological treasure trove

CHARLESTON- Historic Charleston Foundation led an excavation along the Ashley River near Middleton Place for two weeks, unearthing some artifacts that may help tell the story of the region. 

The excavation wrapped up June 24.The Charleston Museum is doing some research on items found. 

Historic Charleston Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a mission to preserve and protect the integrity of Charleston's architectural, historical, and cultural heritage, received funding from locally based MeadWestvaco to excavate along the historic Ashley River in hopes of revealing the remains of what is believed to be one of the oldest, brick buildings built by the English in South Carolina. 

With this project, a partnership between Historic Charleston Foundation, MeadWestvaco andCollege of Charleston, the Foundation hoped to identify the significance of the larger Ashley River Historic District and the need for its protection. The two-week dig served as an educational experience for nearly 20 undergraduate students from the College of Charleston who are participating in the annual Archaeological Field School.

A team of archaeologists began testing and excavating the site along the river’s upper reaches into Dorchester County in January 2009 as part of the foundation’s efforts to expand the Ashley River National Register District. foundation staff and archaeologists from Brockington and Associates sought to identify the late 17th century settlement site associated with Anthony Ashley Cooper, one of the original eight Lords Proprietors of the Carolina settlement. Further archaeological research at this historically important site will increase the understanding about some of Charleston’s earliest inhabitants.

“A number of intriguing clues point to the site being the 17th century settlement of Lord Anthony Ashley Cooper,” said Katherine Saunders, foundation associate director of preservation. “In addition to uncovering the brick foundation, a number of artifacts from the late 17th century were found, including rare Indian trade beads, various types of Native American ceramics and arrowheads, European ceramics, smoking pipes, a lead shot, and other military objects. We are now looking to uncover even more history.”

Material recovered from the archaeological site has been delivered to The Charleston Museum for initial processing and sorting. Ongoing analysis of recovered material will be conducted by a research archaeologist and College of Charleston interns at The Charleston Museum.

For more information about Historic Charleston Foundation, click here.