South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology - SCIAA

On August 16, 1780, Continental troops suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of British General Lord Cornwallis. Led by General Horatio Gates, the American troops sustained heavy casualties. Between 900 and 1,000 soldiers are estimated to have been killed or injured, and another 1,000 were taken as prisoners. British troops saw between 300 and 400 killed, wounded, or missing.

In 2022, under Steve Smith and Jim Legg, 14 of those soldiers were uncovered on the Camden Battlefield. The individuals were then reburied with full military honors in April 2023.

Since then, FHD Forensics, a company that matches DNA with genealogical analyses, identified one of the soldiers as Private John Pumphrey of the 7th Maryland Regiment. Pumphrey was between just 16 and 18 years old when his life was cut short during the battle.

Thanks to FHD Forensics, we finally have a name for one of America’s first fallen soldiers.

For more information:

https://fhdforensics.com/camden-burials-identifications/

https://www.npr.org/2026/06/23/nx-s1-5866455/revolutionary-war-continental-army-camden-south-carolina-maryland

A Revolutionary War soldier's DNA links him to living relatives Continental Army soldier John Pumphrey enlisted as a teenager in 1777 and fought at significant battles before his death in action against the British in Camden, S.C.

We're still hearing from people coming to Baltimore from far and wide to hear the story of our first Camden Fourteen soldier identified through genetic genealogy: Continental 9B. Visitors from Texas and Florida are just the start. One Facebook fan saw the notice and decided just yesterday that she is driving in from Chicago!

Sadly, two very important people, South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology - SCIAA archaeologists James Legg and Steven Smith, cannot be in Baltimore this week because they are staying behind to film a documentary about the case. Legg and Smith's almost 30 years of dedication to interpreting and protecting Camden Battlefield laid the groundwork for this historic DNA identification.

Thanks, SCIAA for helping us make the dream of a 246 year old DNA identification possible. This soldier's family will soon know his name and of his sacrifice for our country in 1780.

Attend the announcement event in Baltimore:
https://www.facebook.com/events/868125709067104/

Support the next identification:
https://givebutter.com/Battle-of-Camden-Continental-9B

Join the Cayce Historical Museum on Saturday, May 30th at 10:00 AM for History, Coffee, and Pastries. Come hear Chris Judge on the origins of the Congaree Indians and their possible connections to the Mississippian kingdom of Cofitachequi. Enjoy hot coffee and fresh pastries in this hour-long history presentation in the Cayce Historical Museum's Visitor Center. Free to the Public. Coffee and pastries are first come, first served.

🏺 Join us for Public Archaeology Day hosted by the ANTH 322 Archaeology Field School on Thursday, May 28!

This summer, students have been excavating areas connected to 19th-century buildings on USC’s Historic Horseshoe, uncovering spaces tied to daily life and labor on the early campus.

Visitors will have the opportunity to:
🔎 See active excavations
🏺 View artifacts recovered from past and current field seasons
📚 Learn about archaeological methods and fieldwork from USC students

📍 USC Historic Horseshoe (in front of the McKissick Museum)
🕙 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📅 Thursday, May 28, 2026

Stop by and explore the stories beneath our campus!

SCIAA staff, PhD student Larissa Daniels-Hill, and professor Dr. Chelsea Fisher, recently participated in a ground penetrating radar (GPR) workshop with Dr. Daniel Bigman from Bigman Geophysical LLC.

Later on, staff members did a short GPR survey on USC’s Historic Horseshoe (not pictured) for Dr. Kelly Goldberg’s field school to help locate a small 19th century building near McKissick Museum.

📸: Chris Saunders

Mark your calendars!

Digging into the Siege of Fort Motte | SC in Vietnam Francis Marion – the Swamp Fox – was at the Siege of Fort Motte in 1781. He and “Light-Horse Harry” Lee were the Patriot commanders in that encounter with the British. But their heroism was exceeded in this case by a lady named Rebecca Brewton Motte. Unfortunately, primary written sources on...

Molly Kantor is an Anthropology major and Environmental Studies minor graduating this month!

Kantor has been working under Classical Archaeologist and Professor, Dr. Parrish Wright, on her Departmental Undergraduate Research Track (DURT) thesis, “Alea Iacta Est: Expanding Interpretations of Ancient Roman Dice” this past semester, which she presented recently at USC’s Discovery Day. Her research was inspired by her time spent last summer at the Gabii field school in Italy where she excavated a small Roman die (a 3D printed copy of the die is featured in the second picture).

Great work and congratulations Molly!

Curious about the past? This is your chance to dig in—literally and figuratively.

This Fall 2026, explore the deep history of Native American societies in the southeastern U.S. in ANTH 229: Southeastern Archaeology. Join Dr. Gabby Purcell as we uncover the past through the archaeological record—examining cultural change, belief systems, trade networks, technology, and the impacts of colonization. You’ll even get hands-on experience with artifacts and opportunities to visit significant sites.

🗓 Tuesdays & Thursdays | 2:50–4:05 PM
📍 Hamilton 140
🎓 3 credits | No prerequisites

Spots are open—register today!

Spencer Smith is graduating this May with a double major in Anthropology and History with a Distinction in Leadership after completing a Departmental Undergraduate Research Track (DURT) Thesis in archaeology. He successfully defended his thesis last Thursday and presented his research, “Consumptive Resistance on College Campuses: An Investigation of Foodways on The Historic Horseshoe,” at Discovery Day USC last Friday.

Smith’s research was inspired by his work on USC’s Historic Horseshoe, completed during Dr. Kelly Goldberg’s field school in 2024. He dug a 1x1 meter unit primarily by himself (which was later expanded) near the McKissick Museum and revealed artifacts likely associated with an outdoor kitchen or food-processing area connected to the original President’s House (1807-1939). The unit uncovered a plethora of ceramic sherds and animal bone fragments that showed signs of cutting and butchering.

Smith will be starting a Master’s in History at USC this fall, with the hope of focusing on German history. However, before he starts his master’s, Smith is heading to Ireland to complete the Blackfriary Archaeology Field School to learn more about bioarchaeology techniques!