Archaeological Investigations at Yourhaney Plantation (38GE18)

ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATIONS AT YOURHANEY PLANTATION159The understory vegetation is commonly composed of dogwood, haw, virburnum, blueberry,American beautyberry, yaupon, and woody vines (Bailey 1980:25).Modern Distribution, Possible Uses, and Natural Environments of Recovered Wood CharcoalAmerican elm achieves a height of 20 to 35 meters and a diameter of 6 to 18 dm. It flourishes inmoist, rich woods, especially along rivers (Radford et al 1968). Historic Period Indians used thebark of this tree for a variety of medicinal remedies. Moerman (1998) reports that the inner barkwas used in the treatment of coughs and colds, while the bark and root bark were utilized to treatdiarrhea, relieve hemorrhoids, and in gynecological and orthopedic applications (Moerman1998). Hackberry is a relatively small tree that grows from 8 to 28 meters tall. It may be found ineither rich or dry soil and is often locally abundant, especially on limestone outcrops (Radford et al1968). Its solitary, edible fruits ripen in May. The tree bark was use by Historic Indians to regulatemenstruation, and as a cold remedy.Ash trees produce strong, hard, heavy wood that is an excellent source of fuel-wood. Dependingon the species, these trees reach heights of 20 to 40 meters. They favor rich, moist woods andsoils, particularly along streams and rivers. The wood, roots, bark, inner bark, and flowers of alltypes of ash were used to treat a wide array of internal and external maladies by the HistoricIndians (Moerman 1998). Basswood, or American Linden, reaches a 40-meter stature in richwoods and along river bottoms. Historic Indians used the roots, twigs, bark, and leaves asmedicines to treat a variety internal and external diseases and injuries (Moerman 1998).Hickories are common in both upland and bottomland forests in the outer coastal plain region ofSouth Carolina. These trees measure 15 to 40 meters high and from 3 to 7.5 dm in diameter,depending on the variety (Radford et al. 1968). Hickories feature a high quality, strong wood thattends to be self-pruning. Shagbark hickory boasts a relatively thin-shelled, sweet seed, and growsin rich soils adjacent to streams and on hillsides. Pecans, like the shagbark hickory, are mostabundant in moist soils along streambanks. Other hickories grow in both rich wet soils of woods,streams, and swamps and dryer upland habitats. Hickories were important in Historic Indian dietand pharmacology throughout the United States (Moerman 1998).Hophornbeam, or ironwood, is a slender tree that reaches heights of 15 meters. It grows in richopen woods on slopes and ridges (Radford et al. 1968). The roots of this small tree were utilizedby Historic Indians as a treatment for female maladies. The heartwood was used as a cancertreatment and its bark was used to cure coughs, tuberculosis, and swellings (Moerman 1998).Numerous species or varieties of maple appear in modern forests in the project locality. Mostmaples are trees ranging from 9 to 40 meters tall and up to 15 dm wide. Maples in the projectlocality inhabit a wide range of ecological niches. This taxa is very common in Outer Coastal Plainswamps and rich, moist riverine woods. Maples also inhabit rocky soils in more xeric uplandareas. Maple wood is ideal for firewood, as these species are self-pruners. Historic Indians usedthe leaves, bark, and inner bark of several maples in cures for eye ailments, gynecologicaldisorders, and in preparation for hunting (Moerman 1998).Oaks are common in cypress gum swamps, bottomland hardwood forests, and drier bluff forests inthe project locality. All oaks are self-pruners and a source of high quality firewood.