Bennett College recently celebrated its inaugural Campus Archaeology Day, an event that blended education with exploration. Students and faculty had the unique opportunity to uncover historical artifacts hidden beneath their feet. Led by Dr. Claire Heckel, an assistant professor of the Honors Program and Interdisciplinary Studies, participants embarked on a journey into the college’s rich past.
Researching Excavation Sites
The preparation for the “Our Roots Run Deep” tree-planting initiative, which involved digging 195 holes across campus, inspired the project. “The holes that were dug in preparation for the tree-planting presented an exciting opportunity for archaeological survey,” she explained.
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. Her research pointed to several historically significant areas, particularly where previous buildings once stood.
Digging Up History
The exploration began at the southwest corner of the campus, near the Global Learning Center and Black Hall. Students uncovered fragments of salt-glazed stoneware, glass shards, and a square-cut nail that potentially dates back to the early 1900s.
Further investigations happened near Steele Hall—formerly the college dining hall and now home to the campus art gallery—yielded pottery shards and additional glass fragments. Dr. Heckel noted, “We found fragments of pottery that would be consistent with dining ware.”
One of the more intriguing finds was in an area previously occupied by Carolina Hall. The three-story building tragically burned down in 1919. Tests revealed soil with a high ash content, posing questions about the fire’s aftermath. “It’s possible that a large hole was dug following the fire to clear the remnants of Carolina Hall for new construction,” she stated.
The discoveries made during this first Campus Archaeology Day suggest the potential for future excavations, which could unearth even more about Bennett College’s 150-year legacy.
