Archaeology at Fort Johnson

This year's archaeological investigations were preceded by a number of other efforts, major and minor, all of which contribute to our understanding of the site. These projects were undertaken to manage (conserve or salvage) Fort Johnson's archaeological resources in various areas that were subject to construction or other ground-disturbing activity.

1973

The South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA) conducted test excavations in the College of Charleston/Medical University area of the reservation, where construction and utility placement projects were planned. This was in the vicinity of the original 18^th and early 19^th Century Fort Johnson sites, and as expected, a rich and complex array of archeological evidence was encountered. A correlation study of historic maps was also undertaken, which aided in the prediction and interpretation of architectural remains.

(South 1975).

1975-1976

Planning for the Southeastern Utilization Research Center (the NOAA building) included an archaeological sampling survey conducted by SCIAA. The study revealed several prehistoric components, and evidence for the Confederate camp known to have been in the vicinity.

(South 1975, South and Widmer 1976).

1994

The search for the optimum site for the MEHRL complex included a preliminary archaeological survey conducted by Chicora Research Foundation - their project covered most of the Fort Johnson reservation at a low level of sampling intensity. Their report also included the most detailed history of Fort Johnson to date. Chicora concluded that essentially all, non-wetland areas of the reservation include potentially significant archaeological resources. (Trinkley, Adams and Hacker 1995).

1995

Carl Steen, employed for the project by the Department of Natural Resources, conducted his first Fort Johnson study in 1995, in conjunction with continued site selection efforts for the MEHRL complex and for DNR's proposed Combined Office Building. This project involved intensive archaeological sampling in large areas north and south of Fort Johnson Road, in the western half of the reservation. The results suggested a suitable location for the Combined Office Building, and helped to refine site selection for the MEHRL complex. Like the Chicora study, the results suggested that virtually all of the property examined includes potentially significant archaeological resources. (Steen 1995)

1995-1996

The route of a new waterline to run through Fort Johnson and across Charleston harbor was studied by the archaeological consulting firm of Brockington and Associates. The line ran along Fort Johnson Road, and through the oldest, most heavily utilized portion of the reservation in the College of Charleston/Medical University area. Test excavations suggested no significant archaeological resources, but subsequent monitoring of the pipe ditch excavation revealed substantial remains of early fortifications - the ditch was re-routed to avoid damage to these components. (Poplin and McMakin 1995, Rust and Bailey 1996).

1996

Diachronic Research Foundation conducted intensive testing in the lot selected for the Combined Office Building, resulting in archaeological clearance for the site. Prehistoric, 19^th Century military, and World War II components were documented, but none were present in such magnitude as to require major excavations. (Steen 1996)

1997-1998

Diachronic Research Foundation conducted intensive archaeological survey and testing in the tract selected for the MEHRL complex. This study defined six areas of obvious or potential significance, each of which would require excavation if damage might result from construction. These included prehistoric, 18^th and 19^th century military, and 19^th Century domestic components. Delineation and evaluation of these resources contributed to the particular placement of various elements of the MEHRL complex. (Steen 1998)

1998

MEHRL planners chose to avoid two of the six areas of concern defined by the 1997-1998 study. From June through August, Diachronic Research Foundation conducted major excavations to recover data from the remaining four areas. After the completion of field work, the entire construction impact area for the MEHRL complex was recommended for archaeological clearance. (Steen et al 2002)

2001

The Diachronic Research Foundation conducted an assessment of the Coast Guard's proposed rear range light to be placed on the shore at the Marshlands House. (Steen 2002).