Noted historical archaeologist Stanley South recounts the decade-long excavation of this important port on the Cape Fear River south of Wilmington, North Carolina. Brunswick was founded in 1726 and served as a major port for the region. British soldiers burned it in 1776, and it never recovered. By about 1830, it was abandoned. During the Civil War, a Confederate earthen fort was built on the site.
In the 1960s, the North Carolina Department of Archives and History sponsored excavations to document the ruins of the town and create a tourist site. South led the excavations, which were an important contribution to the developing field of historical archaeology. Using old records and maps as guides, South was able to reconstruct the layout of the town and identify the ruins of many of the buildings. The abundant artifacts he uncovered helped tell the story of the colonial era.
Richly illustrated with photographs, maps, and drawings, this volume is fascinating record of an early American town. It’s now an historical site that’s managed by the state and open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays. See www.nchistoricsites.org/brunswic
