On the second and fourth Friday of each month, the NAHAR working group will host a virtual lecture. This event serves as an opportunity for scholars to come together to find common research threads and develop action items that address heritage at risk. Each talk will conclude with a question and answer period.
Zoom Meeting ID: 883 0435 4870
Password: NAHAR
An Archaeological Erosion Story
In 2017, Hurricane Irma caused maximum inundation levels of 3 to 5 feet above ground level along the coast of much of South Carolina, causing severe beach erosion. That storm brought attention to the archaeological sites on the Yawkey Wildlife Center (YWC) Heritage Preserve in Georgetown County, South Carolina. Designated a heritage preserve for its unique wetland habitat for migratory and domestic birds in 1976, the three islands have a rich history ranging from Native American camp sites to Gullah Geechee home sites, in addition to sawmills, lighthouses, and military fortifications. Therefore, understanding the vulnerability of these heritage sites to climate change has become an integral part of land and water stewardship. Archaeologists, geologists, and biologists are using digitized historical shorelines, SLAMM, archaeological survey, and archival research along with shoreline mapping and site assessments to understand and address the impacts of climate change.
The authors will provide an overview of this research and discuss the ways they are re-framing the narratives about these sites to provide more inclusive histories that tell Native American and African American, or Gullah Geechee, stories.
Jodi A. Barnes, Katie Luciano, and Jamie Dozier all work for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.