Dugout Canoe Excavation

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Description:

Photograph of (left from right) Glenn Remley and Homer C. Antley looking at the the bow of a dugout canoe protruding from a sandbank on Kiawah Island.

The dugout canoe was discovered by Charleston Heights resident Homer C. Antley while fishing near a creek bank off Kiawah Island owned by Charles Clarence "CC" Royal of Augusta, Georgia. After spending several days attempting to unearth the water-logged canoe from 8-10 feet of sand, Burton called a halt to the excavation to get more equipment. Unfortunately, when Museum staff returned to the site, a large crater was discovered and more than two-thirds of the 30-35 ft. dugout was destroyed. The salvagable pieces were removed to the Museum. Although vandalism was suspected, it was never proven.