Historic artifacts from one of North America’s oldest archaeological sites are returning home to Badin, N.C The artifacts are part of “Ancient Carolinians,” an exhibit developed by archaeologists in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences that will be permanently located in Badin.
The company Alcoa has pledged $25,000 to the Badin Museum Commission to support the design of a dedicated museum building in Badin that will showcase the artifacts as part of the Ancient Carolinians exhibit.
The artifacts were first discovered on a ridge overlooking Badin Lake in the 1930s by an Alcoa engineer. UNC researchers unearthed more than 1.5 million artifacts at the Hardaway site, a National Historic landmark that has been described as one of the most important archaeological sites in North America.
Alcoa donated the artifacts to UNC in 2005 and funded efforts to educate people across North Carolina about the state’s earliest inhabitants. The effort included development of the Ancient Carolinians exhibit, lesson plans and teaching kits for schoolteachers, and a feature on “Exploring North Carolina,” a public television program. UNC will loan the exhibit and artifacts to the Museum Commission, who will be responsible for the display.
“The Hardaway site provides a window through which we can see how people in North Carolina lived more than 10,000 years ago,” said Vin Steponaitis, director of UNC Research Laboratories of Archaeology in the College of Arts and Sciences. “Alcoa has played a key role in preserving the Hardaway site and we are very grateful for all they have done to preserve and promote this important part of North Carolina’s heritage.”
Artifacts on Display at Best of Badin Festival
The “Ancient Carolinians” exhibit will be on display in the Alcoa Conference Center in Badin during the 19th annual Best of Badin Festival on Sept. 20-21. Admission is free.
“It’s a great opportunity to step into the past and see how North Carolina’s first people lived,” said Badin Mayor Jim Harrison. “These historic artifacts were discovered right here in Badin and we are excited to bring them home.”
Visitors to the Best of Badin Festival can view the exhibit and talk with members of the NC Archaeological Society on Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. UNC undergraduate and graduate archaeology students will staff booths and educational activities for kids and adults. The NC Archaeological Society is hosting is annual Fall Conference in Badin in conjunction with the Best of Badin Festival.
The historic Hardaway site is situated on property that Alcoa plans to donate to the State of North Carolina as part of the Relicensing Settlement Agreement for the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project. The benefits in the agreement include a commitment to donate more than 1,000 acres (including he Hardaway site) for the expansion of Morrow Mountain State Park.
The donation will be made once a new license is issued for the Yadkin Project.
