Military Sites Archaeological Research Program

The Military Sites Research Program is a special research effort under the Applied Research Division, devoted to the discovery, excavation, and interpretation of military sites across the United States. Military sites are defined as battlefields, defensive works (forts, batteries, redoubts, trenches), camps, landscapes, ships or shipwrecks, and cemeteries—anywhere armies, soldiers, Native American warriors, or armed citizenry marched, lived, camped, maneuvered, fought and often died. The Military Sites Program focuses on reaching a broader understanding of conflict and war through archaeological research. The Program asserts that the study and excavation of military sites:

1. provide a different perspective on conflict from that provided by historic documents alone;
2. substantiates or refutes standard interpretations of battle, war, and warfare;
3. may in some cases be the only method of documenting unrecorded events associated with conflict and warfare; and,
4. provide tangible evidence of the impact of conflict and warfare on our society.

Military sites archaeology is nearly synonymous with battlefield archaeology, however the latter rubric focuses on just one aspect of military site archaeology—the field of conflict—at the expense of other rich sites like campgrounds that can provide insights into soldier life. On the other hand, the mere presence of a military occupation or artifacts at a particular site does not constitute military sites archeology. Military sites archaeology is any archaeological study that focuses on understanding the military experience or warfare.

The SCIAA Military Sites Program is directed by Steven D. Smith, who specializes in military sites archaeology. Steve’s main interest is in the American Revolution, however, he is interested in all aspects of military history and has researched and published on Civil War archaeology and African American military history. The program is 100% funded by grants and contracts from outside sources.

The following publications by the SCIAA Military Sites Program have been completed:

Reports

2009	Smith, Steven D., contributions by Tamara S. Wilson, Sean Taylor, Mark Brooks, Diane Wallman Archaeological Evaluation of the Dunham’s Bluff Sites, 38MA207 and 38MA165. SCIAA, For the Francis Marion Trail Commission.
2009	Smith, Steven D., James B. Legg, and Tamara S. Wilson The Archaeology of the Camden Battlefield: History, Private Collections, and Field Investigations. SCIAA for the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Save America’s Treasures, National Park Service, National Trust for Historic Preservation.
2008	Smith, Steven D., with contributions by Tamara S. Wilson and James B. Legg The Search For Francis Marion: Archaeological Survey of 15 camps and Battlefields Associated with Francis Marion. SCIAA, For the Francis Marion Trail Commission.
2008	Smith, Steven D., with contributions by Tamara S. Wilson and James B. Legg Archaeological Evaluation of Wadboo Plantation. SCIAA, for For the Francis Marion Trail Commission.
2008	Smith, Steven D., Audrey R. Dawson, and Tamara S. Wilson The Search for Colonial Jacksonborough (38CN280), Colleton County, South Carolina. For the Lowcountry Council of Governments and the Francis Marion Trail Commission.
2008	Steven D. Smith with contributions by James B. Legg, Mark J. Brooks, and Tamara S. Wilson Archeological Investigations on Little Folly Island. Presented to the American Battlefield Protection Program, National Park Service.
2007	Smith, Steven D., James B. Legg, Tamara S. Wilson, and Jonathan Leader “Obstinate and Strong”: The History and Archaeology of the Siege of Fort Motte. Submitted to the American Battlefield Protection Program, National Park Service, Washington, D.C.
2007	Smith, Steven D., James B. Legg, and Tamara S. Wilson The Search For Williamson’s Plantation: Huck’s Defeat Battlefield. Submitted to the York County Culture and Heritage Museums, Rock Hill, SC.
2006	Letter Report of Findings at Blackstocks Battlefield. Report Presented to Brigadier General George Fields, Palmetto Conservation Foundation, Spartanburg, South Carolina.
2005	James B. Legg, Steven D. Smith, and Tamara S. Wilson Understanding Camden: The Revolutionary War Battle of Camden As Revealed Through Historical, Archaeological, and Private Collections Analysis. Report presented to the National Park Service, American Battlefield Protection Program, and the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, SCIAA Columbia.
2005	Smith, Steven D., and James B. Legg Archaeological Reconnaissance of Historic Gilbert Town, 31RF128, Rutherford, County, North Carolina. For the American Battlefield Protection Program, and The Rutherford County Historical Society, Rutherford, North Carolina.
2005	Report of Findings: The Search for Fort Balfour and Coosawhatchie Battlefield. Submitted to the Lowcountry Council of Governments, Yemassee, South Carolina.
2001	The African American Soldier At Fort Huachuca, Arizona, 1892-1946. For the U.S. Army Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and the Center for Expertise for Preservation Of Structures and Buildings, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District Seattle, Washington.
2000	Clement, Christopher Ohm, Stephen R. Wise, Steven D. Smith and Ramona Grunden Mapping the Defense of the Charleston to Savannah Railroad: Civil War Earthworks in Beaufort and Jasper Counties, South Carolina. South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, for the American Battlefields Protection Program, National Park Service, Washington, D.C.
1998	A Historic Context Statement for a World War II Period Black Officers' Club, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Submitted to the Construction Engineering Research Laboratories, Funding by the Legacy Resource Management Program, Department of Defense.
1989	James B. Legg and Steven D. Smith with contributions by Chris E. Fonvielle, Lynn M. Synder, Ted E. Rathbun, and Sharon L. Pekrul, Natalie Adams, Ramona Grunden, and David R. Lawrence. The Best Ever Occupied: Archaeological Investigations of a Civil War Encampment on Folly Island, South Carolina. Research Manuscript Series 209.

Reports with the title displayed in red can be downloaded by clicking the title. For all others please contact the Institute.