The primary activity of the Research Division is long-term, problem-oriented research conducted within South Carolina and adjacent regions. Active research programs in the Research Division include the Allendale Paleoindian Expedition and the Military Sites Research Program.
Research Division Faculty and Affiliates
Leadership and Research Faculty
Gabrielle "Gabby" Purcell
Research Professor
Phone: 803-544-1250
Email: gcpurcell@sc.edu
Sarah Noe
Research Professor
Email: SN43@mailbox.sc.edu
Adam King
Director
Phone: 803-576-6577
Email: aking000@mailbox.sc.edu
James Legg
Public Archaeologist
Phone: 803-576-6588
Email: leggj@mailbox.sc.edu
Research Affiliates
Chester B. DePratter
Research Affiliate (retired)
Phone: 803-576-6585
Email: cbdeprat@mailbox.sc.edu
Albert C. Goodyear, III
Research Affiliate (retired)
Phone: 803-576-6579
Email: goodyear@mailbox.sc.edu
Steven D. Smith
Research Affiliate (retired)
Phone: 803-576-6569
Email: smiths@mailbox.sc.edu
Research Programs
Allendale Paleoindian Expedition
Since 1998, Al Goodyear has led excavations at the Topper site, a Clovis and pre-Clovis site in Allendale County, South Carolina, on the Savannah River. This research has been conducted through the Allendale Paleoindian Expedition, an excavation program utilizing volunteers from the public.
Military Sites Research Program
Military sites are defined as battlefields, defensive works such as forts, batteries, redoubts and trenches, camps, landscapes, ships or shipwrecks, and cemeteries — anywhere armies, soldiers, Native American warriors or armed citizenry marched, lived, camped, maneuvered, fought and often died.
The Military Sites Research Program focuses on reaching a broader understanding of conflict and war through archaeological research. The study and excavation of military sites can:
- provide a different perspective on conflict than that provided by historic documents alone;
- substantiate or refute standard interpretations of battle, war and warfare;
- document otherwise unrecorded military events; and
- provide tangible evidence of the impact of conflict and warfare on our society.
The program has focused particularly on military sites archaeology related to the American Revolution, while also supporting research into Civil War archaeology, African American military history and other aspects of military history. The program is funded entirely through grants and contracts from outside sources.