Bennett College recently celebrated its first Campus Archeology Day, combining education with exploration. Students and faculty had a unique opportunity to uncover historical artifacts hidden beneath their feet. Associate Professor of Honors Program and Interdisciplinary Studies Dr. Participants led by Claire Heckel a journey into the college’s rich past.
Survey of excavation sites
preparation for “Our roots run deepA tree-planting initiative that involved digging 195 holes across campus inspired the project. “The pits dug in preparation for tree planting provided an interesting opportunity for archaeological research,” he said.
Dr. Heckel studied archival documents and campus maps to identify promising excavation sites. The Bennett College Campus Heritage Plan, created by former president David Dallas Jones, guided the way. His research pointed to several historically significant areas, particularly where earlier buildings once stood.
Excavating history
Exploration began in the southwest corner of campus, near the Global Learning Center and Black Hall. The students discovered salt-glazed stoneware, glass shards and pieces of square nails dating back to the early 1900s.
Near Steele Hall—formerly the college cafeteria and now home to the campus art gallery—he found shards of pottery and additional pieces of glass. Dr. Heckel noted, “We found pieces of pottery that match the cooking vessels.”
One of the most interesting finds was in the area formerly occupied by Carolina Hall. The three-story building tragically burned down in 1919. Tests revealed soil with a high ash content, raising questions about the consequences of the fire. “Perhaps a large hole was dug after the fire to clear the remains of Carolina Hall for new construction,” he said.
The discoveries made at this first Campus Archeology Day indicate the potential for future excavations that may reveal more about Bennett College’s 150-year heritage.
