An annual archaeology event at Beech Island's Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site will feature a special guest.
At 11 a.m. Saturday, David Jones, South Carolina's state parks archaeologist, will talk about artifacts that have been found at other historic sites.
He will bring slides of items from other sites in South Carolina such as Charles Town Landing State Historic Site, Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site and Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, said Elizabeth Laney, Redcliffe Plantation's interpreter.
"Archaeology is such an important resource for any historic site, especially a plantation," Ms. Laney said.
Redcliffe is fortunate in that its original owner, Gov. James Henry Hammond, who built the plantation house in 1859, kept detailed records that are intact, she said.
There are gaps in Redcliffe's history, however, especially when it comes to historical data related to the slaves and later the paid servants who lived on the site.
"There was a small excavation done around one of the former slave cabins," she said. "We've never done a major archaeological investigation around the house."
The archaeology program will be presented from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include other activities in addition to Mr. Jones' talk.
Children can play amateur archaeologist and search for artifacts.
Archaeologists from the Savannah River Archaeological Research Program and members of the Augusta Archaeological Society will be part of the program and will talk about archaeology on both sides of the Savannah River.
The event is free, but tours of the house are not included in the archaeology program. House tours cost $4 for adults, $3 for students ages 6 to 16 and $2.50 for South Carolina seniors.
For more information, call (803) 827-1473.
Reach Charmain Z. Brackett at charmain.brackett@augustachronicle.com.
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