Fundraising Campaign to Protect Ancient Petroglyphs in Pickens County SC

Did you know that there have been petroglyphs discovered on the land at the Hagood Mill? And it appears that officials with the Pickens County Museum of Art and History want to make sure that this message from the past survives into the future according to an article here. As a history buff, I found this amazing and no doubt a trip to see these is in my future!

Museum officials have kicked off the official fundraising campaign to secure funds to build a structure to protect petroglyphs, or prehistoric rock art, from the elements while providing visitors an opportunity to view and learn from the rock art.

The building is intended to preserve and present the 40 plus petroglyphs. The fact that the petroglyphs are on easily accessible, publicly owned land at the Mill allows them to be protected while giving the public an opportunity to view them. The plans for the building to be completely handicapped accessible is also rare since many sites where prehistoric art has been discovered require long climbs or hike.

The two-room structure’s first gallery will house photograph and artifacts from the 10-year survey, conducted by the SC Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, with the Hagood Mill petroglyphs housed in the second room, complete with viewing platform, which will be built over the rock art without disturbing or unearthing the artwork. The petroglyphs, which are hard to see with the naked eye, will be made visible with special lighting.

To learn more about the campaign, and how to help, please call the Museum at 898-5963 or the Hagood Mill at 898-2936.