Avocational Archaeology

Established in 1991, South Carolina Archaeology month was established to help raise awareness on the importance of archaeology, help increase public outreach of ongoing work throughout the state of South Carolina, and educate the public on what can be done to help protect, preserve, and study the state’s archaeological resources. This year, we invite you to join us for our Virtual Fall Field Day! Throughout the month of October, archaeologists from across South Carolina will be sharing videos, interviews, and stories about archaeology in the state. 

To use this StoryMap, scroll down for more content or navigate to specific sections using the quick links bar at the top of the page.

To follow along, simply like our  Facebook page  and keep an eye on our  website ! 

Avocation: noun, a subordinate occupation pursued in addition to one's vocation, especially for enjoyment

Profession: noun, a paid occupation, especially one that involves prolonged training and a formal qualification.

Unlike professional archaeologists who chose archaeology as a paying career, avocational or amateur archaeologists practice archaeology in their spare time without personal income or profit. Avocational archaeologists are sometimes viewed simply as “artifact collectors,” but most avocationalists are equally interested in the scientific and scholarly aspects of the field and work closely with archaeologists. Avocationalists volunteer on excavations, in laboratories, conduct independent research, and discover and record previously unknown archaeological sites.

Prior to the development of archaeology as a scientific discipline in the 1800s, all archaeology was avocational. The early avocational archaeologists were responsible for the initial documentation of many of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, including Turkey’s Troy, Louisiana’s Poverty Point, and even South Carolina’s Johannes Kolb Site. Avocational archaeology has always been and remains an important part of American archaeology, especially in South Carolina.

South Carolina has a long standing tradition of avocational archaeology. The Archaeological Society of South Carolina (ASSC) was established in 1968 by a group of primarily avocational archaeologists to “unite all persons interested in the archaeology of South Carolina” and to encourage scientific investigation, study, and interpretation of archaeological remains in the state.

When the ASSC was founded, only one professional archaeologist was employed in South Carolina and very little was known about the state’s archaeological record. Many of the early and influential members of The Society were avocationalists, including Jim Michie, Tommy Charles, Wayne Neighbors, Walt Joseph, Sammy Lee, and Bob Parler. With the help of the South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA), ASSC members advocated for and participated in many of the state’s earliest archaeological excavations. Through the ASSC’s journal, South Carolina Antiquities, both professional and avocational archaeologists published and shared their research. During the first ten years of Antiquities, most of the articles were written by avocationalists and their efforts shaped the course of archaeological research in the state. The 1970 issue of Antiquities featured the first attempt at projectile point sequencing in the state by avocational archaeologist Jim Michie. In the early 1970s, avocationalist Walt Joseph published fieldwork from Aiken County’s Fort Moore and Coker Springs, some of the earliest historical archaeology projects conducted in the state.

Without the contributions of avocationalists, research on the archaeology of South Carolina would not be where it is today. Some of these influential avocationalists were even successful at turning their favorite avocation into their profession, like Jim Michie and Tommy Charles. Throughout the history of The Society, the vast majority of ASSC members have been and continue to be avocationalists. And avocationalists continue to collaborate with and share their research with the greater archaeological community through Antiquities and the annual ASSC Conference on South Carolina Archaeology. In this StoryMap you will learn more about the contributions of avocational archaeology to South Carolina. Keep scrolling to explore archaeological sites throughout the state that have been discovered by or excavated primarily with the help of avocationalists and volunteers, meet influential avocational archaeologists, and even learn how to document an archaeological site you have found.

Throughout October we’ll be taking a look at the long history of collaboration between avocational and professional archaeologists in South Carolina. Scroll down to see pictures and more information on each site. Keep checking in throughout the month as more sites and stories will be added each week!

If you have photos or stories from volunteering at any of these sites, we’d love to hear from you! Send us an email at  archaeologsocietysc@gmail.com .

Check out these profiles on avocational archaeologists across the state! Click on the arrows to the left and right of the images to toggle between each profile.

The South Carolina Avocational Site Database (SCASD) is a resource available to and designed for avocational archaeologists. The program was developed based on discussions among avocational, professional, academic, non-profit and for-profit organizations and private individuals in the South Carolina archaeological community. The avocational site form was developed to encourage public reporting of archaeological sites and artifacts, and to encourage collaboration and information sharing between professional and public interests in archaeology.

Avocational Site Form Reporting Manual:  https://artsandsciences.sc.edu/sciaa/sites/sc.edu.sciaa/files/attachments/Avocational%20Site%20Reporting%20Form%20Manual.pdf 

The Hobby License program is a State-mandated program that began in the 1970s to manage the artifact and fossil collection activities of South Carolina's sport divers. Athough many participants are scuba divers, anyone wishing to search and recover submerged property on a recreational basis must obtain this license. The Institute's Maritime Research Division works closely with the South Carolina State Museum concerning the collection of information on fossils and fossilized ecofacts found in State waters by licensed individuals.

The Maritime Research Division issues Hobby Licenses to collect artifacts from state waters and manages quarterly reports submitted by licensed individuals to ensure proper reporting and recording of finds as allowed by the license.

Hobby Diver License (New Applicants):  http://artsandsciences.sc.edu/sciaa/mrd/sites/sc.edu.sciaa.mrd/files/attachments/HobbyLicenseApplication.pdf 

Hobby Diver License (Renewals):

 http://artsandsciences.sc.edu/sciaa/mrd/sites/sc.edu.sciaa.mrd/files/attachments/HobbyLicenseRenewalApplication.pdf