#ancientshellring

Celebrating The Oyster Harvest

Sea Pines Ancient Shell Ring-Hilton Head Island South Carolina There have been two ancient shell rings found on Hilton Head Island South Carolina. The Sea Pines ring on the south end of the island and Greens Shell enclosure on Squire Pope Road. Have a happy day 🙂 Alice Sunday Stills/mysterious

Hilton Head Island South Carolina

This week I ventured out again through the vanishing swamp, into the forest, onto Fish Island in search of one of two ancient shell rings that have been discovered on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

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Location Marker in Sea Pines Forest Preserve Hilton Head Island

Lake Joe-Sea Pines Forest Preserve

November  brings in cooler temperatures and most of all low humidity.  The wildlife seems to be enjoying the pleasant day and will keep you company.   There is plenty of it to see and at times you may even get startled.

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Double Crested Cormorant

Sea Pines resort-White Ibis

Vanishing swamp resting turtle

Hilton Head Island native alligator

The path through the swamp is clearly marked with directional markers into the forest.

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Directional arrow

Sea pines Forest Preserve

Upon arrival of the shell ring, I found the site under excavation.

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Excavation site at ancient shell ring on Hilton Head Island

Sifting for artifacts

Shaker box for sifting for artifacts

mound of shells

These mysterious shell rings were formed more than 3800 years ago by the Indian habitants,  Here are the information boards and I took photos of it in sections to make it easier to read.

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The Sea Pines Shell ring information

Ring wall of ancient shell ring

Archaic Indians and shell rings

Ceremonial Areas-shell rings

People of the Ring

Archaic Indian Village

When you are at the site you can see how the ground is lifted around the area of excavation.

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Ancient shell ring

Raised mound of the ring

Hilton Head Island South Carolina has been voted the best island on the continental US three years in a row by Travel and Leisure.  There are accommodations to suit everyone, beautiful beaches and world class golfing.

Thanks for dropping by, for more refreshing walks drop by and visit:

Jo’s Monday Walk

“The 3-acre Greens Shell Enclosure Heritage Preserve is an archaeological site dating back to 1335 A.D. In 1991, the preserve was purchased with funds from the Heritage Trust Program and a grant from the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Today the preserve is managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, The Town of Hilton Head Island and the Environmental and Historical Museum of Hilton Head Island. The preserve is a passive park focusing on archaeological features.

Cultural History Greens Shell Enclosure, a low earthen embankment, is two to six feet high, and 30-feet wide at the base. During the Irene period, 1300 to 1450 A.D., this two-acre shell and the earthen embankment was a fortified village with defensive features like enclosures, Palisades and ditches.

The Native American inhabitants of Greens Shell Enclosure were farmers who lived in large villages. They used the shell to make gorgets, masks, beads and for religious rituals. The inhabitants used whelk and conch shells to drink “Black Drink.”

Their ritual beverage, “Black Drink,” was made from the plant Ilex vomitoria, more commonly known as Cassina, which still grows on the preserve.

Not only did these villagers make items from shells for personal use, but these popular shell products were also traded far into the interior of the eastern United States.”

Information provided by The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

The shell ring is located in a small community park on the north side of Hilton Head Island.  The trail begins at the entrance of the Amelia White Historic Gullah Cemetery.

Amelia White Historic Cemetery

Greens Shell Park

Amelia White Historic Cemetery

There is a deck to stand on and view the ancient mound. Visitors are not allowed to walk on the grounds where the artifacts were found.

Greens Shell Park

Greens Shell Park

Greens Shell Park

Part of a shell ring is on the left side of the walkway.

Greens Shell Ring

Greens Shell Ring

Greens Shell Ring

Greens Shell Ring

The trail continues past the preserved site and ends at Skull Creek.

Greens Shell Park

Skull Creek

Skull Creek

The park is accommodating to visitors with a picnic area, play area, parking and restrooms.

Greens Shell Park

Greens Shell Park

Greens Shell Park

Greens Shell Park

Greens Shell Park

Greens Shell Park

Happy Travels- To visit this unique site exit SC #8 off of Interstate 95.  Take US 278 East and continue over the bridge onto Hilton Head Island.  Turn left on to Squire Pope Road and the park will be on your left.

Bring the insect repellent, mosquitos and gnats will greet you.

Alice

jos-monday-walk-boa-vista/