Lighthouse Point Shell Ring (38CH12)

National Register Listing

Street Address:

Address Restricted (Charleston County)

Alternate Name:

Parrot's Point Shell Ring

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NRHP Nomination

Record Number:

S10817710153

Description and Narrative:

(Parrot’s Point Shell Ring) Because of recent rises in sea level, Late Archaic-Early Woodland period sites are our oldest available records of more continuing exploitation of the coastal zone, by humans, in the southeastern United States. Although hundreds of shellfish middens of the Southeast date from this period, only a very few have the arcuate geometry of shell rings; Lighthouse Point is one of but 19 Late Archaic-Early Woodland Period shell rings presently well-documented in the state. The function of these shell rings is still unknown. The ring contains the most diverse biota yet recorded from an aboriginal shell ring. In addition to the expected shellfish, the site contains the remains of catfish, drum, mullet, bowfin, and rays, toads, snakes, turtles, turkey, clapper rail, ducks, perching birds, rabbit, rat, squirrel, opossum, dog, raccoon, mink, and deer; human remains occur as bone fragments and coprolites. Charcoal, lithic and ceramic artifacts are also present. Listed in the National Register October 14, 1990.

Period of Significance:

circa 1000 BCE – 2200 BCE

Level of Significance:

National

Area of Significance:

Archeology: Prehistoric

National Register Determination:

listed

Date of Certification:

October 14 1990

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