Legacy, Vol. 10, No. 2, September 2006, pp. 10-11.
South
Carolina State Archaeologists Team-Up
to Help History
Detectives
Christopher Amer and I, in our capacities
as State Underwater Archaeologist and State Archaeologist, recently teamed up
with Lion Television and Public Broadcasting Service television. The occasion
was the opportunity to investigate a true South Carolina mystery for a segment
of the popular series, History
Detectives.
He brought the object to the Institute for inspection, at which time the object was positively identified as a “cartridge box plate” from the 71st Scottish Highlanders Regiment. The 71st was a Revolutionary War regiment raised specifically in response to the American Revolution and had a very short regimental existence. It was stationed in the Augusta, Georgia area for only a few weeks in the beginning of 1779. In accordance with state law, Daryl retained his find.
It is important to note that very few 71st cartridge box plates have ever been found in the United States. Daryl has always taken his stewardship responsibilities for the artifacts very seriously and kept the box plate safe.
From time to time he tried to find out how the plate had gotten to the place where he found it and what the historical connections it may have had with South Carolina. While some information was available, it tended to raise more questions than it answered.
Daryl Boyd, a well-known hobby diver in the
South Carolina Sport Diver Archaeology Management Program, found an object lying
on top of the riverbed while diving in the Savannah River 13 years ago. The
find was in 20 feet of water near the South Carolina bank in the vicinity of the
old town of Hamburg. Daryl contacted SCIAA and filed a report as required by
law.
He brought the object to the Institute for inspection, at which time the object was positively identified as a “cartridge box plate” from the 71st Scottish Highlanders Regiment. The 71st was a Revolutionary War regiment raised specifically in response to the American Revolution and had a very short regimental existence. It was stationed in the Augusta, Georgia area for only a few weeks in the beginning of 1779. In accordance with state law, Daryl retained his find.
It is important to note that very few 71st cartridge box plates have ever been found in the United States. Daryl has always taken his stewardship responsibilities for the artifacts very seriously and kept the box plate safe.
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From time to time he tried to find out how the plate had gotten to the place where he found it and what the historical connections it may have had with South Carolina. While some information was available, it tended to raise more questions than it answered.
Fortunately, he passed on his question to
Lincoln Farr, Associate Producer of Lion Television’s History Detectives. Lion Television is
home based in the United Kingdom. A question concerning the Scottish regiment
operating during the American Revolution was intriguing on far too many levels
to pass up. Lincoln contacted Christopher Amer and myself. Between the two of
us, we were well equipped to answer questions on the 71st, the river
in which the medallion was found, its metallurgical content, preservation
environment, and conservation options of the artifact itself. The initial
consultations went very well, and we were sworn to secrecy, forbidden to discuss
the findings before the airing of the show.
History
Detective’s Elyse Luray interviewed Chris and I on the morning of
March 27th. The filming took place on the USC Columbia campus in a
laboratory of the Earth Sciences Building. Dr. Tim Rousseau, Associate Dean of
Research of the College of Arts and Sciences, made the laboratory available.
Unfortunately, the Institute’s laboratories had insufficient space to
accommodate the film crew. Fortunately, this will be rectified in the new
building.
Elyse Luray is well known for her work with
the Antiques Road Show and with
Christy’s Auction House. She is an excellent appraiser of historic materials
and has a real interest in history. Not to mention a wonderful sense of humor.
Elyse was very well prepared and asked questions about the manufacture and
metallic make-up of the embossed buckle, its interaction with the environment,
why is was in such good condition, and ultimately,
whether or not it was genuine. As an archaeometallurgist and objects
conservator, I handled the first set of questions, and Chris, as the maritime
archaeologist, handled the latter. Both of us agreed that it was genuine and
that the object had been in an anaerobic condition until just shortly before
Daryl found it. This accounted for much of its preservation. The domed shape
of the cartridge box plate had held it firmly to the bottom as the river’s flow
ran over the exposed surface adding to its protection.
The filming took the better part of a day, and the
episode aired on July 17th on PBS. History Detectives has thoughtfully
provided a copy of the show on VHS, which may be
scheduled for viewing at the Institute.
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