The Identity of a Plantation Structure: The Preliminary Analysis of an Early Structure at Mont Repose Plantation, St. Luke\u27s Parish, Jasper County, South Carolina
During the 2000 Archeology Field School, Georgia Southern University began an investigation of a nineteenth century plantation structure near Ridgeland, South Carolina. The plantation, Mont Repose, is an example of an inland rice plantation operated in this region during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The structure was initially believed to be a kitchen for this plantation but more recent fieldwork has suggested that this designation may need to be re-examined. Recent excavations have yielded specific artifacts suggesting that the structure may have sheltered a variety of daily functions in addition to specific kitchen activities. Preliminary Mean Ceramic Dating suggests a possible association with an earlier occupation of the site. A 1739 coin, sewing items, various personal possessions and a gold gilded broche were found along with other higher status artifacts. The demise of the structure and the impact that had on the stratigraphy will also be examined. This thesis will present the preliminary archival research, fieldwork, a preliminary analysis of a sample from the artifact assemblage and suggestions for future research
