Culture // 1 min Read

Shell Crescent

Written by Palmetto Bluff

The tenth hole of the May River Golf Course lies above a site known as Shell Crescent, named after a crescent-shaped deposit of shell and artifacts that was found during excavations.

Archaeologists also discovered a firing pit with fragments of ceramic vessels, a rare find that gives us a snapshot of prehistoric potters at work. The Woodland potters at the Shell Crescent site used the coil method. They collected clay from the rivers, tempered it with sand or bits of clay, and rolled it by hand into long ropes or coils. They stacked the coils and then pinched them together. Next they pressed wooden paddles, carved with checked patterns or wrapped with fiber or sinew cords, against the outside of the pottery, leaving designs in the wet clay. Then the pots were fired in open kilns. The firing method was not foolproof, however, as the four different pots left in the kiln at Shell Crescent indicate.

wooden paddle
This wooden paddle may have been
wrapped with fiber cords and then used to impress designs in wet clay.
Palmetto bluff homes for sale

Real Estate
The Top 8 Benefits of Building on a Homesite

The Ultimate Choice: Building vs Buying a Home in Palmetto Bluff  For those searching for  Palmetto Bluff homes for sale, this common question often arises: Should you choose an existing residence, or embrace the opportunity to build your own? While a complet...

Nov 2025
south carolina winter

Culture
How to Spend a Winter Day in the Lowcountry

A Complete Guide to South Carolina Winter at Palmetto Bluff  South Carolina's winter is unlike any other on the East Coast. While many travelers search for “South Carolina winter” expecting cooler temperatures and limited outdoor options, the Lowcountry revea...

Nov 2025
palmetto bluff real estate

Real Estate
Real Estate Spotlight: Discover River Road

River Road: Where Lowcountry Beauty Meets Elevated Everyday Living  Tucked gracefully between Wilson Village and Moreland Village, River Road is one of Palmetto Bluff’s most immersive communities. It's where the pace of life seems to soften, classic Southern ...

Nov 2025

Club Life
‘Tis the Season for the Holiday Farmers Market at Palmetto Bluff

Sunday, December 14 | 9am to 1pmVillage GreenThe season’s most festive farmers market, the Holiday Farmers Market, comes to Wilson Village on Sunday, December 14, from 9am to 1pm. All are welcome to visit and experience the magic of holidays at the Bluff. The ...

Nov 2025

Real Estate
Tour This Light-Filled Lowcountry Retreat with a Modern Point of View

Tucked amid whispering pines and overlooking a tranquil water trail, 11 Lyonia Street is where Lowcountry charm meets modern artistry. The newly built residence redefines Southern living with a balance of craftsmanship and calm. This is a home that feels both ...

Nov 2025

Club Life
Home for the Holidays at Palmetto Bluff

The holiday season in the Lowcountry brings crisp air, oaks draped in twinkling lights, and laughter drifting from homes where families and friends gather once again. At Palmetto Bluff, the holidays are more than just a season; they’re a feeling of togethernes...

Nov 2025

Club Life
Introducing Anson Point at Palmetto Bluff: A New Legacy for Golf in the Lowcountry

https://vimeo.com/1071784239?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci We are excited to unveil the official brand identity for Palmetto Bluff’s newest chapter in golf, Anson Point. Designed by golf icons Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw and set within more than 500 acre...

Nov 2025
palmetto bluff events

Club Life
Celebrate the 2025 Holiday Season at Palmetto Bluff Must-Do Holiday Events in the Lowcountry

Must-Do 2025 Holiday Events in the Lowcountry There’s no better way to embrace the magic of the holidays than spending them in the heart of the Lowcountry. With its sparkling waterways, moss-draped oaks, and warm coastal charm, Palmetto Bluff transforms into ...

Oct 2025

Culture
Behind the Bluff with Wilson Landing Marina Dockmaster: Rebecca McCorkendale

Rebecca’s Journey to Palmetto Bluff For Rebecca McCorkendale, life on the water isn’t just a career—it’s a calling that runs through generations. Growing up on Hog Island, nestled between Hilton Head and Bluffton, Rebecca was raised with salt air in her lungs...

Oct 2025
Palmetto Bluff homes for sale

Real Estate
Headwaters: The Height of Privacy and Lowcountry Living

Headwaters Community in Palmetto Bluff Tucked deep within Palmetto Bluff’s untouched maritime forest, Headwaters stands apart as the community’s most private and pristine enclave. With just ten family compounds spread across more than 600 acres of scenic mars...

Oct 2025

CURIOUS ABOUT LIFE AT THE BLUFF?

Sign up for our newsletter

LIVE
Community Villages
Experience
Palmetto Bluff Club
On The Water
The Arts Initiative
Events
Conserve
About Us