THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE SEIBELS KITCHEN, COLUMBIA SC
Summer of 2004
In the summer of 2004 archaeological investigations continued on the Seibels property. The research goals for the summer were to continue at looking at the behaviors associated in the kitchen, and to investigate the use and change of the Seibels property over the history of the estate. With this information, archaeologists will attempt to look at larger questions that revolve around population dynamics in Columbia, SC.
Archaeologists used a number of survey techniques to investigate how the property has changed over time. Using back ground research as a guide, they were able to conclude that there were a number of other structures on the property. Using Ground Penetrating Radar, a device that sends back images of possible structures that are located below the surface of the ground, archaeologists were able to conclude that there is an area that may contain the remnants of a past structure. Along with using GPR, archaeologists carried out a number of test pits or shovel tests in the yard to find the highest concentrations of artifacts. They were able to locate a number of areas that contained late 18th century and early to mid 19th century artifacts. Analysis is still being conducted on the artifacts gained from the systematic testing of the property.
The continued excavation in the kitchen focused on the southern chamber. This past summer archaeologists had few ideas as to what to expect from the excavation. As the previous year uncovered a large six-foot pit, the archaeologists only could image what would be in the other half of the kitchen. After a few minutes of excavating, archaeologists uncovered something that was not expected, a small brick structure that measures roughly three feet by four feet. It is located in the middle of the room, offset from the hearth. Artifacts recovered near this feature include bottle glass, ceramics, pins, nails. The soil also contained an ashy layer, charcoal and faunal material (animal bone and shell).
From the material culture gained, we can assume some sort of cooking or burn was going on in this location near the brick structure. However, more analysis is needed prior to determining what the structure is and what its function may have been. For more pictures and information please see the “News” section of this website. If you have any ideas to what this structure may be, please inform the archaeologists and historians with your ideas.
Finally, archaeologists are currently and will continue to catalogue and analyze artifacts this year to understand the complete and possible ranges of behaviors associated with this kitchen and estate over time. Analysis of material will take time to extract as much information as possible. Lectures about the material analysis and the site can be arranged. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Joseph Samolis, a master’s student in the Department of Anthropology at the University of South Carolina.