Lighthouse Point Shell Ring (38CH12)

The Lighthouse Point Shell Ring (designated archaeological site 38CH12) is a prehistoric archaeological site located on Lighthouse Point, an island in Charleston County, South Carolina. It is a circular or semi-circular shell ring, constructed primarily of oyster shells, with other shell species and artifacts also present. These shell rings are characteristic features of the Late Archaic period in the coastal Southeast of North America.

Shell rings are thought to have been constructed over generations by Native American populations. While their precise function is debated, they are generally interpreted as having served a combination of purposes, including habitation, feasting sites, ritual locations, and territorial markers. The shells themselves are the accumulated refuse of shellfish consumption, along with other discarded items.

The Lighthouse Point Shell Ring is important for its potential to provide insights into the lifeways, social organization, and subsistence strategies of the Late Archaic peoples who inhabited the coastal region of South Carolina. Archaeological investigations at the site can reveal information about the diet, technology, settlement patterns, and trade networks of these early inhabitants. The site is vulnerable to erosion and sea-level rise, making its study and preservation crucial for understanding the prehistory of the region. Due to its archaeological significance, efforts may be underway to protect and manage the site. The state archaeological site number "38CH12" provides a unique identifier for the location, facilitating its inclusion in archaeological databases and allowing for tracking of research and preservation activities.