Abstract

This study explores the archaeology of tourism through an examination of the multiple habitations of Fort Caswell, situated on the southwest coast of North Carolina. The original fortification was built in the 1830s. Following its construction, the fort and the surrounding property was used throughout several wars, including the American Civil War, WWI and WWII. Following WWI, the fort was briefly transformed into a seaside resort and, following WWII, it was purchased by the Baptist Assembly of North Carolina, who still own it today. Due to the number of these occupations and their unique uses of the site and associated structures, systematic excavation of the site since 2013 has produced a large assemblage of artifacts. Many of these artifacts are of a very recent vintage. Consequently, I emphasize the importance of including artifacts from modern occupations in the consideration of the history of the site. Additionally, I discuss the implications of excavations and interpreting items at a site that has undergone multiple habitations and how each habitation influences the meaning of the site as a whole. In particular, I discuss this issue within the context of tourism and how each period of tourism that the site has undergone has had distinctive effects on the landscape of the site.

Advisor

Kardulias, P. Nick

Department

Archaeology

Disciplines

Arts and Humanities

Keywords

historical archaeology, reuse, multiple habitations, north carolina, civil war

Publication Date

2017

Degree Granted

Bachelor of Arts

Document Type

Senior Independent Study Thesis

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© Copyright 2017 Sophie M. Minor