The Mysterious Shell Rings of Sapelo Island
Sapelo Island is a stunning bit of South Georgia scenery. Located a little over an hour South of Savannah, Georgia; it is a favorite stop of locals and tourists alike! Stunning natural beauty, rich and diverse culture and history, and friendly faces make up the beloved community on this island. However, just like everywhere in our charming Southern abode; Sapelo Island holds many mysteries and secrets that leave scholars and archaeologists scratching their heads-the biggest mystery being the large and nearly grandiose shell rings that dot the island’s northwestern coast.
Through carbon dating; the artifacts found on the island tell the story of a 4,000 year old village that once sprawled across the island. The people who inhabited this island were called the Guala, (as of the Spanish exploration of the island in the 18th century). They were once thought to be strictly hunters and gatherers; but the remnants of their lifestyle on this island display a long history of smart and calculating fishermen. The biggest symbol of their nautical lifestyle is the massive shell rings on the island. There are three rings in total on Sapelo, though similar rings have been found up and down the Eastern American coastline. They are made mostly out of discarded oyster shells and other natural refuse such as animal bones and broken pottery and tools made by the Guala. The largest ring spans an impressive 255 feet in diameter, and stands 20 feet above the surrounding landscape!
Carbon dating revealed that these shell rings were built around 2170 BC, which puts them in the Middle to Late Archaic period, long before European colonization. It is believed that the people of Sapelo had been there for much longer, but rising sea levels and new coastal erosion have erased thousands of years of their history. The biggest mystery is why they were built in the first place. Some archaeologists believe they were simply refuse piles built over time by the village, and their circular shape is due to the circular shape of the village’s building plan. Other archaeologists, however, believe that these rings were built purposely to act as a location for village ceremonies, dances, feasts, games, and other community activities. This theory is supported by the carbon dating samples; many of the shells were placed in the ring in large amounts, as if they had been gathered and saved- rather than being dumped absentmindedly by one household at a time.
We may never discover the real reason behind these beautiful and interesting shell rings, but honestly; this writer prefers a little mystery in her history! Would you visit the Shell Ring Complex on Sapelo Island? Better yet, do you have any theories about its existence that differ from the other theories? Whether we ever figure it out or not; Sapelo Island remains on the list of places you MUST visit when you come to South Georgia!