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Historic Contexts and Other Historical  Background Studies 

Historic contexts or historical background studies help us understand the meaning and significance of individual buildings, structures, and sites. For example, we have to understand how phosphate was mined and processed and the role of the phosphate industry in South Carolina history before we can understand and evaluate the importance of an archaeological site associated with the industry. Historic contexts also include valuable information for researchers about South Carolina history and prehistory and the buildings, structures, and sites illustrating that history.

A number of contexts have been developed by the State Historic Preservation Office or by consultants in consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office. The cover documents for National Register Multiple Property Submissions (MPS) and National Historic Landmark Theme Studies also include important historic context information about groups of properties in South Carolina. See our Archaeology section for more archaeology-related reports, historic contexts, and public education materials. The following contexts are available online in pdf format. (some quite large)

Topics:

Prehistory

History

Places