SECRETS OF THE SHELL RINGS

BY JILLIAN CAMPANELLA

Southeastern coasts hold more than just seashells and driftwood Beneath the surface, further than oak tree roots, rich history can be found. However, a vast majority of it is rarely talked about, and this includes the history of the indigenous people who used to call Hilton Head home.

When asked about Native Americans in South Carolina, many instantly think of the Cherokee, which is not incorrect However, the Cherokee and many others, like the Catawba and Saluda, lived in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge regions For the coastal plains, like Hilton Head, two specific nations inhabited the island: the Yemassee and the Escamacu. In the Act of 1707, the Yemassee were given marked territory next to the mouth of the Savannah River. Little is known about them due to the lack of archeological evidence. However, a key historical artifact, which is usually left out of history books, are their mysterious shell middens

What is a shell midden? A shell midden, also known as a shell ring, is what it sounds like. These rings, ranging from 3-16 ft tall and 209 ft wide, are the result of oyster shells piled up over a period of time. These rings served various purposes for the coastal nations. One reason was solely to create a dumping ground for the leftover oyster shells. Usually, the dumping grounds aren’t shaped like a ring

The second reason was, with the leftover oyster shells, they would create a doughnut-shaped space for a multitude of reasons, mainly to host trade, tribal gatherings, and a greeting spot for visiting tribes.

Oyster shells were not the only things left behind, though.

In proximity of the shell rings, pottery, arrowheads, and animal bones can also be found. Tribal nations made their own specific pottery, all differing in color and texture, depending on the resources at hand When found, shards of pottery prove that the tribes took pride in their pots and the ornate designs Because of their knowledge in pottery, they were able to cook a variety of different protein sources. The same can be inferred about the arrow heads. The arrowheads were made of different materials, like stone and bone, and shaped into varying designs, dictating the purpose of the arrowhead. Considering the arrowhead patterns, archeologists are able to differentiate between the tribes It can now be assumed that, because of the pottery, hunting tools, and designated shell rings the Yemassee and Escamacu were both hunters and gatherers, symbolizing a structured society at one point.

But what happened to them? The Escamacu were the first tribal group to settle on Hilton Head. Due to European settlements expanding, the Escamacu migrated to the interior, resulting in Hilton Head becoming vacant However, at the same time, the Yemassee migrated from the North to avoid Christianization attempts, eventually settling on Hilton Head.

The Lord Proprietors of Carolina actually leased Hilton Head to Altamaha, the Yemassee chief Although the Yemassee lived in a somewhat peaceful environment, in the absence of interference, they migrated to the Ashepoo River basin for about ten years around 1700. "natives" who inhabited the island were the In the following ten years, the only Yemassee’s enemies, the Tuscarora, who were employed to scout against the Yemassee and Spanish invasions.

In the top right corner, shards of broken pottery can be seen

To the left, there is an authentic arrowhead found in the low country Below, you can see a picture of archeologist digging up artifacts at the Sea Pines Shell Ring.

Above is a sketch of what the Shell Rings used to be used for The sketch can be found on the placards at the Sea Pines Shell Ring

If you would like to learn more, you can visit local archaeological sites, such as the Sea Pines Shell Ring, and the Green’s Shell Ring.