Public Archaeology Days and Events

Check out these upcoming programs featuring Archaeology:

There's Still A "Lot" to Learn at Charles Towne Landing

Step inside the excavation shelter for an interactive archaeology experience with our park archaeologist. Explore artifacts and archaeological evidence from one of Charles Towne’s 1670s town lots and discover what they reveal about work, labor, wealth, and social life in the early settlement. Tours are available during the spring and fall field seasons.

Piecing Together the Past with Archaeology at Charles Towne Landing

Join archaeologists from across South Carolina at Charles Towne Landing for South Carolina Archaeology Month! Tour our active excavations on the 1670s settlement, explore educational programs, and meet cultural resource professionals from across the state who work to discover, document, and preserve South Carolina’s archaeological heritage. Held every October as part of South Carolina Archaeology Month.

From the Collections: Special Artifact Highlight at Charles Towne Landing

Excavations have been conducted at Charles Towne Landing since 1967 and our facilities curate archaeological materials that span 6000 years of human occupation. Join the park archaeologist for a special chance to see artifacts from our collections that are not usually on display, while learning about their history and social importance. This program will take place at the Horry-Lucas Ruins along the History Trail.

Canvassing for Clues: Dutch Art Seek & Find at Charles Towne Landing

Search for examples of real artifacts from 1670 Charles Towne hidden in poster-sized prints of 17th-century Dutch paintings. See what these objects looked like when they were whole and discover how archaeologists can use historical artwork to help understand how artifacts were used in everyday life. Fun for all ages! Offered periodically, check program schedule for upcoming dates.

Dining Detectives: Ceramic Mending Game at Charles Towne Landing

Uncover the stories hidden in broken dishes! In this hands-on activity, you will piece together broken dishes, just like archaeologists do in the lab. use clues to solve the puzzle and discover how your dish would have been used by the colonists in 1670 Charles Towne. Suited for all ages. Offered periodically, check program schedule for upcoming dates.

Discover the ecological landscape of 1670 Charles Towne! Match giant 3D printed pollen grains to learn about the plants that grew in the early settlement. This family-friendly, hands-on program lets you explore the archaeobotanical evidence archaeologists use to reconstruct the environment of early Charles Towne. Best for ages 6 and up. Offered periodically, check program schedule for upcoming dates.

Artifact Glow & Tell: Lighting Up the Science of the Past at Charles Towne Landing

Explore the science behind archaeology with ultraviolet (UV) light! Test historic artifacts and everyday objects, make predictions, and discover what glows – and why. Learn how minerals and proteins in materials like glass and bone react to UV light, and how archaeologists use this non-destructive technique to uncover clues to the past. Best for ages 6 and up. Offered periodically, check program schedule for upcoming dates.

Archaeology Explorers: Hands-on Discovery Morning at Charles Towne Landing

Learn to think like an archaeologist! Kids will explore historic artifacts and plant clues, just like real scientists. This one-hour program includes hands-on activities where participants learn how archaeologists sort objects to answer questions about the past and study tiny plant remains to discover what people grew and ate in 1670s Charles Towne. Designed for ages 6–12, this interactive experience brings history to life through investigation and discovery. Registration is required and program fees apply.

Setting a Patriot Table at Charles Towne Landing

Step into the past and shop like a colonial family during the American Revolution! Choose dishes for your table, then discover where they were made, whether they were affected by the boycott of British goods, and whether you could get them again after the war. Explore how changing trade and consumer choices could turn a political movement into everyday decisions for families – and how those choices can still be seen in the archaeological record. Best for ages 6 and up. Offered periodically; check the program schedule for upcoming dates.

The Archaeology of Yuck: Exploring the Gross, the Grimy, and the Garbage of the Past at Charles Towne Landing

Rats, snakes, poop, animal bones, and garbage may seem gross, but archaeologists view them as evidence! Discover how gross, grimy, and discarded remains found at Charles Towne can reveal surprising stories about the people, animals, work, and daily life of the settlement 350 years ago. Get ready to investigate some of archaeology’s yuckiest – and fascinating – clues. Suited for ages 6 and up. Offered periodically; check program schedule for upcoming dates.

Check our Programs & Events page for additional events.