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About The
Hardaway Site
The Hardaway Site, home to the First Carolinians, is a major archaeological site dating back over 13,000 years with near continuous use until the 17th Century, making it the oldest and most utilized site in North Carolina. It was a major stone tool manufacturing location, campsite and gathering place with easy access to the unique rhyolite at nearby Morrow Mountain. While the Hardaway Site is not currently open to the public, the Hardaway American Indian Museum Foundation exists to build a future state supported museum about the Hardaway Site and the American Indian Tribes/Associations in North Carolina. With the help of Morrow Mountain State Park, North Carolina State Parks, the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the North Carolina American Indian Heritage Commission and other key partners, the museum will be a major destination for anyone wanting to learn about American Indian culture and history in the Southeastern United States.
The Hardaway Site is fully protected and preserved by Morrow Mountain State Park. It is not open at this time for public touring or visitation. We hope to provide periodic informative tours of the Hardaway Site in cooperation with Morrow Mountain State Park starting in 2025.
History
Explore the rich history of the Hardaway Site, where early American Indians began visiting over 13,000 years ago to gather together, make their tools and projectile points from the areas unique stone, net fish and hunt for local game. This rocky ridge, standing nearly 300 feet above the Yadkin River, has witnessed successive occupations through to possibly historic times, offering a compelling glimpse into ancient human activities in the North Carolina Piedmont.
National Historic Landmark
The Hardaway Site (31St4) was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990, the highest recognition for a cultural property in the United States. This honor acknowledges its pivotal role in expanding our understanding of Paleoindian and early-Archaic history, particularly in the eastern United States. Alcoa's protection and support have been instrumental in preserving this site, making it an essential destination for those seeking to explore early human occupation in America.
Rhyolite and Shad
Discover the allure of the Narrows of the Yadkin. The Hardaway Site has been a magnet for human activity for 13,000 years, drawn by two key resources: the annual shad runs up the Yadkin-Pee Dee River and the abundant rhyolite stone from the Uwharrie Mountains. Delve into the natural wealth that has sustained generations at this historic site.
Archaeology
Discover the archaeology of the Hardaway Site, a cornerstone in North Carolina’s history. Renowned for containing the state’s earliest cultural artifacts, dating back to the Late Paleoindian subperiod or possibly even earlier, Hardaway offers invaluable insights into ancient civilizations. Delve into over 75 years of study and explore the ongoing debates surrounding its significance, from Clovis-era origins to the Early Archaic period and beyond.
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Discover the fascinating techniques used to study ancient artifacts and unravel their mysteries
Frequently Asked Questions
Find Answers to common questions about the museum. its opening and how to get invlolved
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Showcasing American Indian ingenuity at Uwharrie's Hardaway Site through history and modern voices.