Topics for South Carolina’s Archaeology Month posters and themes are maintained by the Archaeological Society of South Carolina. If you are interested in organizing archaeology month in the future, please reach out to the Society via email at archaeologysocietysc@gmail.com. Archaeology Month organizers are typically expected to organize the theme and create the associated poster, as well as organize the keynote speaker for the Society’s Annual Conference for that year, and are expected to notify relevant organizations and institutions in the state of the theme.

Themes for 2024-2026 are listed below:

2024 Theme

Preserving African American Spaces: Collaborative and Community Engaged Archaeological Research in South Carolina

Abstract

Across South Carolina, archaeologists and community groups are working together to identify and preserve archaeological sites, cemeteries, buildings, and stories created by African Americans. Through these spaces, the difficult histories and contributions of enslaved Africans, African Americans, and their descendants are recognized. Places lost to the past are often rediscovered by archaeologists during systematic investigations, or many times revealed by community members with recollections of the past. This StoryMap will highlight a few stories from across the state which are connecting African American communities to archeological sites and historic places.

2025 Theme

The Carolina Colony: Highlighting 17th Century Colonial Interactions in South Carolina

Contact: Nicole Isenbarger, RPA, Archaeologist, South Carolina Parks Recreation and Tourism, Charles Town Landing State Historic Site; nisenbarger@scprt.com

Abstract

On the eve of our nation’s 250th celebration of our independence from the British empire, this StoryMap will reflect on and highlight key archaeological sites and research related to the first 30 years of English colonial interactions in our state. In the spring of 1670 a group of over 100 English gentlemen, servants, freemen, and enslaved Africans settled the Carolina colony on the Atlantic coast between the English colony of Virgina and Spanish Florida and established what would become the birthplace of South Carolina. We will provide an overview of what over 50 years of archaeological exploration of English colonial contexts has revealed.

Topics will include information about current research at key 17th century archaeological sites including Charles Town-one of only a handful of original settlement sites that exist in the United States; an overview of the late 17th century ecological landscape and evidence for experimental agriculture; key 17th century artifacts; new information about Native American trade interactions; and the relocation of the town seat to its current location on the Charleston peninsula and initial stages of constructing a defensive wall which made Charleston one of the only three walled cities in North America.

2026 Theme

Southern Campaign of the American Revolution in South Carolina

Contact: Keely Lewis-Schroer, Keely.Lewis-Schroer@usda.gov

Abstract

In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Archaeology Month 2026 will highlight the South Campaign of the American Revolution in South Carolina. The poster will detail how the Southern Campaign influenced the eventual American victory in the Revolution and feature archaeological sites throughout the state that have helped document these military events. Archaeology month participants will be encouraged to visit sites that are accessible on public land or through historical organizations in South Carolina to learn more about the archaeology of the Southern Campaign during this sestercentiennial celebration.