Holes were dug illegally at SC historic site, park says. What are culprits hunting?
Freshly dug holes are being found across the Charles Pinckney National Historic Site north of Charleston, South Carolina, leading investigators to conclude artifact hunters are searching for something on national park land.
Exactly what they’re after remains a mystery.
An investigation has been launched by the National Park Service, which is calling the activity “illegal excavation,” theft of artifacts and looting.
Artifacts dating to the 1700s are believed buried at the site, which was home to a signer of the U.S. Constitution.
“Evidence at the scene indicates that a metal detector was used to locate artifacts and at least 19 holes were dug,” the historic site said in a news release.
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“The site was damaged and many artifacts are missing.”
Holes were found “in numerous areas,” officials said.
The historic site preserves a farm purchased in 1754 by Charles Pinckney, “a principal author and signer of the United States Constitution,” according to the National Park Service. None of the original Pinckney farm structures have survived.
“Archeologists make a great effort to record the context from which artifacts are recovered to better understand their use and disposition and the wider historical picture,” Kate Funk, chief of resource management at the park, said in a release.
“All this important information is now lost because of this illegal excavation.”
It is illegal to dig without authorization at federal parks and historic sites, and to bring intact metal detectors to the property, officials said.
The holes are believed to have been dug “on or before November 13,” officials said.
Investigators are asking the public if anyone saw someone using a metal detector at the site. Anyone with information is asked to “call or test the ISB Tip Line 888-653-0009.” Tips can also be submitted at www.nps.gov/ISB.
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