At Clemson University, we believe there really is something in these hills. Associate Professor of History Joshua Catalano discovered there may be even more to that phrase than we already knew. In this interview, Catalano shares his recent discovery — ancient pottery at the site of Fort Rutledge radiocarbon dating between 677–873 CE — and what that means about the Clemson community we’ve come to know and love.
How did this project begin?
Joshua Catalano: I was asked, as someone who studies the American Revolution, to come to a meeting that Historic Properties had called in 2018. They were discussing different sites on campus, and Fort Rutledge was brought up. Fort Rutledge is this little-known historic site here on campus, but it’s connected to all these important things like the American Revolution and the largely forgotten Cherokee town of Esseneca (where modern-day Seneca takes its name). In collaboration with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, we put together an interdisciplinary team and began archival and archaeological research.
What did you find?
JC: Underneath what we thought was going to be a Revolutionary War fort, we found pottery of different styles and techniques. Interestingly, this pottery was made of local clay but with styles and decoration associated with groups from across the Southeast. This finding suggests that this area was a meeting place of different Indigenous cultures, and they were making things here, together, and not just trading goods. The presence of so many different patterns and styles of pottery being made locally suggests either sequential use of the place or some sort of peaceful sharing of this location at the same time.
What is the significance of these findings?
JC: Radiocarbon dating taken from organic material found in an artifact returned a date range of 677–873 CE. This is the earliest dated documentation we have of people living on what is now the campus of Clemson University. Indigenous tradition tells us this occupation goes back much further to time immemorial, and it is likely that we would find older locations if we kept searching.
Were students involved in this project?
JC: Students were with it every step of the way. For three years, we ran summer field schools where students learned how to do every aspect of the archaeological excavation process. Then, during the Fall, there was a Creative Inquiry project where they would process the artifacts. It was a great experiential learning opportunity for them, and it helped many of them land jobs or acceptance into graduate school.
