The Council of South Carolina Professional Archaeologists has taken a stand against plans to build new college dorms atop an 18th century public burial ground for the poor.
Late last summer, the College of Charleston announced its plans to expand student housing and was quickly met with protests and public opposition.
Now the council that advises and sets standards for professional archeologists across the state recommends, “avoidance of impact on this important historic cemetery.”
The group sent a letter last week.
The concerns
Both the council and the public are concerned because the college’s own research shows that as many as 12,000 people could be buried at the 103 Coming Street site. And those who were interred were the city’s poor, including free and enslaved Africans, immigrants, orphans, and strangers.
Historians note the burial ground quickly filled between 1790 and 1807, just before the importation of slaves was prohibited. It’s believed Africans who died during or shortly after the transatlantic journey could be interred at the site, not far from Gadsden’s Wharf.
The council says in its letter that the college’s plans could, “adversely impact one of Charleston’s most significant burial grounds.”
Previous lessons
The professional group goes on to say the college's plans violate professional standards shaped by “the injustices of predecessors,” including the African Burial Ground in New York City.
That’s where the discovery of mass graves during the 1990s halted a federal building project. Those involved say the process was not only lengthy and expensive but taught a valuable lesson; that is, informed consent is fundamental to the treatment of human remains.
The council also calls for the college to consult with federally recognized Indian tribes because they too could have ancestors buried there. Archaeologists point out indigenous ancestry was discovered nearby during the construction of the Charleston Gaillard Center.
A member of The Muscogee Nation recently joined a community engagement council that is trying to advise the college. The tribe was forcibly removed from the Southeast during the 1830s and is now located in Oklahoma.
C of C response
The council of professional archaeologists asks the college to reconsider, saying in the letter “it’s not too late for the College of Charleston to choose a more humane and respectful path.”
In a statement, the college responded by saying:
“As with all input regarding this project, we appreciate the feedback from this organization and will ensure that it is considered as part of the decision-making process.”
The college contends it can only provide housing for about a third of its students and that the site is its only option.
