Scope  of  Work

• Mike Prevost will focus on the natural landscape of the delta and provide a  characterization of its natural resources. This is an integral component to the  project as we aim to show how people living in the Santee Delta were entwined  with the natural environment.

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• Project oral historian Herb Frazier and Cultural Anthropologist Robin O’Day will  focus on gathering information about the enslaved population of the Santee  Delta. In addition to demographic information, they will also work toward locat ing descendant communities in the vicinity of the delta. Mr. Frazier and Dr.  O’Day hope to find oral traditions and memories which have been passed  down generationally by former slaves and their descendants. 

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• Architectural historians Amalia Leifeste, Christina Butler, and  Philip Smith will focus on the documentation of the built environment. They will  utilize students from Clemson University and potentially students from the College of the Building Arts in upcoming semesters to gain a better understanding of the construction methods and materials used for settlements and work areas  in the Santee Delta.

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• Both institutions will work collaboratively and focus on different aspects of  documentation. Clemson University will focus primarily on digital techniques  including photogrammetry and 3-D documentation, while ACBA will focus on  measured drawings and property research. Students from both institutions will  work collaboratively in the field for a holistic experience. Architectural historian advisor Tommy Graham will assist as needed and advise based on his extensive experience in the Santee Delta.

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• Archaeologists Kendy Altizer and Jodi Barnes will lead shovel testing programs  for each targeted settlement and work area. Dr. Altizer will focus on lands be tween the rivers in addition to private properties on both sides of the Santee  River, while Dr. Barnes will focus primarily on Yawkey Wildlife Center lands. In  addition to shovel testing, the archaeology team will also document isolated  finds of infrastructure and coordinate with the State Historic Preservation  Office to assign state site numbers for each site. Dr. Altizer and Dr. Barnes will  utilize SCDNR methodology and databases to ensure systematic data collection across the delta. As advisor to the archaeology team, Martha Zierden will assist in the field and with material culture identification.