Mapping the past: Uncovering hidden history at Rock Hill Cemetery

On a brutally cold Thursday morning, underneath a slate-gray January sky, geophysical archaeologist Donnie Rowe pushes a wheeled, ground-penetrating radar machine methodically across the stony soil of Rock Hill Cemetery.

Every time the device passes over an area of disturbed earth beneath the surface, a pale, crescent shape appears against the blackness of Rowe’s computer screen.

Many of the blips represent graves that might never have been found without high-tech instrumentation — and scientists like Rowe who know how to use it.

Rock Hill sits in a sheltered cove just a short distance from the Lake James State Park’s Paddys Creek Visitor Center in western Burke County. It’s one of western North Carolina’s oldest African American graveyards, stretching back to the mid-1800s and possibly earlier.

Rock Hill was once in danger of being forgotten, but no longer.

A group of volunteers dedicated to preserving this sacred site has made great strides in refurbishing the cemetery over the last two years, clearing away a mountain of underbrush that once encircled it and removing troublesome trees that threatened to fall and damage headstones.

Areas previously smothered by impenetrable vegetation are now open to the sky and thus available for GPR testing for the first time.

As part of the restoration efforts, Foothills Conservancy contracted with Richard Grubb and Associates, headquartered in New Jersey, to perform ground-penetrating surveys to reveal the locations of unmarked graves.

The end goal is to map the entirety of the cemetery so it can be permanently preserved as part of the state park. Future plans call for a fence to surround Rock Hill and signage to guide park guests as they tour the historic location.

Descendants of those buried there will guide the project.

“The work has progressed tremendously,” said Allen Fullwood, who helps spearhead the effort. Fullwood was on hand Thursday morning to observe the testing, some of which took place just a few feet from the grave of his great-great grandmother, Rittie Moore.

“Having this radar study done will hopefully help us finally determine the parameters of the cemetery,” he said.

Once the data is collected, Rowe will study the results and produce a map of the site showing the previously hidden graves. The process may take a few weeks. Jason Harpe, director of cemetery preservation with Grubb, will then help the group construct a conservation plan.

“We’re a one-stop shop,” Harpe said. “We do the geophysical work, and the conservation work as well.”

Harpe emphasized the importance of having experienced, professional archeologists like Rowe interpret the data revealed by GPR, which sends high-frequency radio waves into the ground. The energy deflects off objects below and bounces back to the surface, where the computer records the return signal.

Thursday, Rowe pointed to an especially bright mark on his screen that likely indicates a metal coffin. Lighter marks can mean wooden caskets, while some of the signals come from tree roots. When Rowe studies the final results, he’ll be able to discern between the two.

He also pointed out easily visible clues like the yucca plant growing beside Rittie Moore’s stone. It was once customary for families to plant perennials near graves, Rowe said. Yucca and holly — which springs from the ground at intervals throughout the cemetery — were popular choices at African American graveyards.

Grubb has conducted scanning at numerous African American cemeteries, an increasing number of which have been restored in recent years, thanks in large part to the descendants of those interred there.

Fullwood said Foothills Conservancy has played a critical role in the revitalization by bringing in professionals like Grubb. Fullwood also lauded the efforts of Park Superintendent Nora Coffey. He said key financial support has come from Burke County’s charitable Rostan Foundation.

Ian Spinelli, the conservancy’s marketing and development manager, was at Rock Hill Thursday shooting drone footage of the activity. He said the conservancy is proud to help and thankful to its donors.

“We’re very grateful for the Rostan Family Foundation and their funding of so many things that are valuable to the community,” Spinelli said. “It’s of immense importance to us that this work is done correctly.”

It’s important to Harpe as well.

“There’s so many layers to all the cemeteries, really, but specifically African American cemeteries or other underrepresented communities for numerous reasons,” he said. “Some of the work we do is when developers are coming in, and then there are what I call ‘passion projects.’

“I would definitely consider this a passion project.”