View from Marsh	View from Water

The Hanckel Mound is one of 20 or more prehistoric shell rings located from the central coast of South Carolina to the central coast of Georgia. All are believed to date early in the second millennium BC, and they contain some of the earliest pottery known in North America. The function of the ring shape is unknown, although the rings appear to be carefully planned and systematically deposited structures. As such, they also present one of the earliest records of sedentary life among people who must have lived entirely by foraging. Apparently Hanckel was one of the largest shell rings, both in diameter and depth of deposits. Lateral cutting of Leadenwah Creek has removed slightly more than one half of the ring. The ring was at least 158 feet in diameter from crest to crest. The deposit stands at one point 8 feet above a flat central area, devoid of shell, which is about 5 feet above mean sea level. The midden is composed largely of oyster shell. Periwinkles, animal bone, and pottery sherds are abundant where the truncated perimeter faces the creek. Listed in the National Register October 15, 1970.

View the complete text of the nomination form for this National Register property. In addition, the Historic Resources of the Late Archaic-Early Woodland Period Shell Rings of South Carolina, ca. 1,000-2,200 years B.C. includes historical background information for this and other related National Register properties.

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