McDowell Site
National Register Listing
Street Address:
Address Restricted (Kershaw County)
Alternate Name:
Chesnut Mounds; Taylor Mounds; Mulberry Plantation Mounds
NRHP Nomination
Record Number:
S10817728004
Description and Narrative:
(Chesnut Mounds; Taylor Mounds; Mulberry Plantation House) The McDowell Site is among the first archaeological sites to be carefully excavated and archaeologically reported in the United States. It is one of a series of sites of outstanding significance that extend through Georgia and the Carolinas. It represents a widespread late prehistoric Indian culture known by the names of Lamar, Irene, and Pee Dee, and possibly extends into protohistoric and historic times. It probably dates between AD 1400 and AD 1700. This particular site is of special significance because of its place in the history of archaeology and because of its own cultural content. The site contains a large temple mound, a large village area, and at one time may have had as many as eight smaller mounds. There was also said to be a ditch and/or low earthwork encircling the entire site. The temple mound is now about 9 feet high and 110 feet in diameter. It was probably about 170 feet in diameter before the river cut into it. The surrounding village appears to include at least 15 acres at present on the south side of Big Pine Tree Creek. Listed in the National Register July 16, 1970.
Period of Significance:
1825
Level of Significance:
National
Area of Significance:
Education;Science
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
July 16 1970
