Saluda Hydroelectric Project-The Tree House Project

S&ME conducted archaeological data recovery excavations on behalf of the South Carolina Electric & Gas Company (SCE&G). This large-scale project was part of the relicensing of the Saluda Hydroelectric Project. The goal was to mitigate erosion occurring on private property along the Saluda River. The undertaking was one of the largest and deepest archaeological excavations in South Carolina.

The large, well preserved, and deeply stratified area was known as the Tree House Site. Occupations range from the Paleoindian through Mississippian periods (approximately 13,500 to 700 years ago).  The scope of the excavation and analysis was massive, involving three excavation areas and an array of specialists. The investigation recovered and analyzed more than 37,000 artifacts. The size of the excavation was 200 square meters in length by 3.65 meters deep.

The depth of the archaeological deposits presented a major challenge. The team needed to meet OSHA safety requirements while still maintaining good archaeological methods and practices. To overcome these challenges, S&ME designed a comprehensive safety plan to enable timely and cost-effective completion of the project. The team also amassed a wealth of important information about the prehistoric inhabitants of the region.

S&ME completed an intensive cultural resources survey and preparation of an Historic Properties Management Plan (HPMP) for the Tree House Site .  The investigations included the examination of 141 islands (approx. 745 acres) and 89 miles of shoreline along Lake Murray and the Lower Saluda River. They also included a total of 156 archaeological sites, 42 isolated finds, and eight above ground historic resources.

 Highlights

• Cultural Resources
• Archaeological Investigation