Contact Information
SC Department of Natural Resources
Heritage Trust Program
P. O. Box 167
Columbia, SC 29102
(803) 734-3893
Preserve Manager
(803) 609-7057
Hours of Operation
The area is open during daylight hours year-round.
Contributions to the Endangered Wildlife Fund on the South Carolina Income Tax Form help to make the identification and management of these preserves possible.
Photographs
Description
The Daws Island Heritage Preserve is a 1885 acre property located in Port Royal Sound, in Beaufort County. Bounded on the east by Broad River and the west by Colleton River, Daws Island Preserve can only be reached by boat. Acquisition of the Preserve was made possible by a grant from US Fish and Wildlife Service's Coastal Wetlands Improvement Act Program, a substantial donation from the Daws Island Partnership, and funds from the DNR's Heritage Land Trust Fund.
Daws Island was acquired for a number of prehistoric archaeological sites known as shell rings. The shell rings are mounds, rings, and crescent shaped deposits of oyster shells and garbage constructed about 4500 years ago by Native Americans. The shell rings harbor important information that archaeologists can use to reconstruct coastal diet. They also yield good data for prehistoric environmental reconstruction. The function of the rings has yet to be verified, but hypotheses such as habitation sites and ceremonial sites have been proposed by researchers. Evidence of prehistoric use of the island from 12,000 years ago to about 800 years ago has been revealed at various locations on the Preserve.
Due to sea level rise these deposits are surrounded by marsh, are hard to get to and are also sensitive roosting and nesting areas for various birds. Visitation is not advised.
Daws Island is a featured attraction and primitive camp site for the Port Royal Sound Kayak Trail, which includes a number of natural and cultural heritage preserves and other interesting sites. Primitive camping is available with a permit. A Kayak Trail brochure and guide is available from the SCDNR Wildlife Shop.
Most of the high ground on Daws Island contains sensitive archaeological deposits. Camping is restricted to the area of the Preserve known as Banana Island, which is depicted on USGS quadrangle maps and coastal depth charts. A permit is required from the Cultural Preserve Manager (see contact info, left). Artifact collection, digging and metal detecting are not allowed on the Preserve.
Stewardship Committee
A committee of interested parties has been formed to conduct Preserve maintenance, litter pick-up, and other stewardship activities beneficial to the Preserve. If you are interested in participating in the committee contact SCDNR, Heritage Trust Program at 803-734-3886. Join the Archaeological Society of South Carolina's Hilton Head Chapter - contact phone number: (803) 777-8170.
To report Preserve violations day or night call SCDNR Operation Game Thief at 1-800-922-5431.