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      • About Us
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      • NAS News & Programming
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      • Support Us
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    • Visit NASCA
    • Upcoming Events
  • Home
  • Social Media
  • Explore the Center
    • About Us
    • Archaeology Lab
    • Archives
    • Collections & Galleries
    • NAS News & Programming
    • NAS Celebration
    • Support Us
    • YouTube
  • Visit NASCA
  • Upcoming Events

Native American Studies Center

Native American Studies CenterNative American Studies CenterNative American Studies Center

119 South Main Street, Lancaster, SC 29720

803-313-7172

Native American Studies Center

Native American Studies CenterNative American Studies CenterNative American Studies Center

119 South Main Street, Lancaster, SC 29720

803-313-7172

 Established in August of 2012, this comprehensive center for the study of South Carolina’s Native American peoples, their histories, and their cultures offers visitors the opportunity to view the single largest collection of Catawba Indian pottery in existence; study primary and secondary texts on Native Americans in the Southeast; participate in educational classes and programs; and observe archaeology, language, and folklore and oral history labs. 

Learn With Us

 Since 2005, we've been developing curriculum and public programs that educate the public about Native American art and culture, with an emphasis on the Catawba and other Native communities in South Carolina. Students at USC Lancaster and visitors to our Center can learn about art, American Indian literature and culture, Native American archaeology, folklore, anthropology, and oral traditions. Plans are underway to offer additional Native American literature courses, a course in Native American language, and additional courses taught through Palmetto College. 

Our Mission

 The mission of USC Lancaster Native American Studies is to promote the documentation, preservation, appreciation, and study of Native American cultures and heritages. This mission is aided by courses and curricula, research projects, archival resources, exhibits, publications, and other public and educational programs and  materials developed by USCL faculty and staff. The Center works to dispel any stereotypes or existing misconceptions regarding Native Americans, their cultures, life ways, and languages. 

Image shows two King Hegler pots made by different artists.

Social Media

Follow us on social media to keep up with what's going on!

Image shows NASCA website's main page

Visit NASCA

A collaboration between the Center's Archive, the USC University Libraries Digital Collections, and the USC Institute for Southern Studies, NASCA provides resources for studying Native American culture and highlights the important role Native South Carolinians have played in our state's history. 

Explore the Center

About Us

Archaeology Lab

Archaeology Lab

Sharon Simmers-Norton and Elisabeth Avelar review textiles in Special Collections.

Plan your visit! Click here to learn our hours of operation and contact information, view our visitor policies, and meet our faculty and staff. 

Archaeology Lab

Archaeology Lab

Archaeology Lab

Image shows hands holding a spear point under a magnifying glass.

Have you ever dreamed of handling real archaeological artifacts? Now you can at the Center's weekly archaeology lab.

Archives

Archaeology Lab

Collections & Galleries

Stephen Criswell and Fran Gardner unveil a steel sign on an easel.

We help make information about Native American history and culture accessible to the public. 

Collections & Galleries

Native American Studies News & Programming

Collections & Galleries

Image shows Catawba and Cherokee pottery.

Special Collections holds scholarly collections for Native American Studies featuring Indigenous artists, artwork, regalia, and the largest institutional collection of Catawba Indian pottery, as well as USCL’s Art Collections, highlighting local and regional artists with works of fine art, folk art, fiber art, photography, and more. Learn more about our current and online exhibits here.

Native American Studies News & Programming

Native American Studies News & Programming

Native American Studies News & Programming

Beckee Garris is interviewed by CN2 News.

Stay up-to-date with the latest information from the Center! Read the current Native American Studies Quarterly newsletter and see the schedules for upcoming events, including our monthly Lunch and Learn series.

Native American Studies Celebration

Native American Studies News & Programming

Native American Studies News & Programming

Brent Learned lectures from a podium.

Every year we celebrate local Native American history with the public. Join us!

Support Us

Support Us

Support Us

Visitors attend a Lunch and Learn given by Dr. Brooke Bauer.

Learn how you can help support our mission!

YouTube

Support Us

Support Us

Image shows NAS YouTube main page.

View previous Lunch and Learn presentations, Artist-in-Residence demonstrations, Native American Studies Celebration programming, and much more on our YouTube Channel! 

Copyright © 2025 Native American Studies Center - All Rights Reserved.

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