Charleston: An Archaeology of Life in a Coastal Community

by Martha A. Zierden, Elizabeth J. Reitz

Overview

Choice Outstanding Academic Title

Society for Historical Archaeology James Deetz Book Award



The archaeology and history of one of the most storied cities of the American South.

Charleston, South Carolina, is one of the most storied cities of the American South. Widely recognized for its historic buildings, its thriving maritime culture, and its role in the Civil War, Charleston is also considered the birthplace of historic preservation. Martha Zierden and Elizabeth Reitz—whose archaeological fieldwork in the city spans more than three decades—explore the evolution of the urban environment, the intricacies of provisioning such a robust city, and the urban foodways that continue to inspire Charleston's culture.

In Charleston, Zierden and Reitz weave archaeology and history to illuminate this vibrant, densely packed Atlantic port city. They detail the residential, commercial, and public life of the city, the ruins of taverns, markets, and townhouses, including those of Thomas Heyward, shipping merchant Nathaniel Russell, and William Aiken. The authors shed light on the dynamics of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services that linked the city with rural neighbors and global markets. They also trace fish and game from the woods and waters to the kitchens where the food was prepared and the tables where it was served. Zierden and Reitz reveal how global trade goods combined with indigenous flavors to create a cuisine that was uniquely Charleston.

The artifacts unearthed show how Charleston continued to grow and develop as it contended with public health initiatives necessitated by post–Civil War changes, the fire of 1861, and the earthquake of 1886. They also testify to the city's arts and finery and to the challenges experienced by laboring slaves, house servants, and other underprivileged citizens. By reminding us that urban areas shape and are shaped by their inhabitants, Charleston evokes the essence of the deeply complex city whose influence was felt throughout the Atlantic World.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813080819
Publisher:	University Press of Florida
Publication date:	10/29/2024
Pages:	352
Product dimensions:	6.13(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.72(d)

About the Author

Martha A. Zierden is curator of historical archaeology at The Charleston Museum and has been involved in every major excavation in Charleston since 1980. 

Elizabeth J. Reitz, professor of anthropology at the University of Georgia, is coauthor of Zooarchaeology, second edition.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations ix

Foreword xiii

Preface xv

Acknowledgments xvii

1 Pots, Bones, and the Urban Landscape 1

Part I The Setting

2 Urban Archaeology in the Historic City of Charleston 17

3 The Bountiful Coast 33

4 Development of Charleston and the Lowcountry 54

Part II The City and Coast: The Eighteenth Century

5 Settlement 75

6 Raiding and Trading 91

7 Supplying the Early City 116

Part III City Life

8 Townhouse Life 145

9 The Commercial City 181

Part IV The Nineteenth Century

10 The Crowded City 205

11 Landscape Changes 232

12 Archaeology in the City, Archaeology of the City 255

Appendix 1 Reports for Charleston Sites 265

Appendix 2 List of Sites Studied 271

Appendix 3 Vernacular and Scientific Names for Plants and Animals 275

Appendix 4 Charleston Artifact Assemblage 283

Appendix 5 Master Species List by MNI and Time Period 289

Appendix 6 Richness, Number of Identified Specimens, MNI, and Specimen Weight by Time Period 293

Notes 297

References 311

Index 337

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"An amazing book, representing years of work and dozens of excavations and presenting a continuous chronology of a colonial city from the seventeenth to the nineteenth century. No other city in America has this kind of archaeological record."—Nan A. Rothschild, coauthor of The Archaeology of American Cities

"A must-read for those interested in food and foodways, urbanization, and the untold history of one of America 's oldest cities."—Russell K. Skowronek, coeditor of Pieces of Eight: More Archaeology of Piracy

"Provides a unique guided tour of the city's vibrant legacy, skillfully weaving a complex tapestry of archaeological and historical discoveries. Charleston is not to be missed."—Jerald T. Milanich, author of Laboring in the Fields of the Lord: Spanish Missions and Southeastern Indians

Editorial Reviews



“A model for 21st-century urban historical archaeology. . . . Highly recommended.”—Choice



“The authors succeed admirably in marshaling an immense body of research, conducted by themselves and many others over the course of decades, into an accessible and fascinating book.”—Journal of Southern History

From the Publisher