The CORE (Characterizing Oxbows for Reconstructing the Environment) project is a geoarchaeological initiative aimed at uncovering high-resolution proxy records of paleoenvironmental change from oxbow lake sediment cores throughout the South Carolina lowlands. By analyzing sedimentary archives, CORE reconstructs environmental fluctuations and explores their connections to climate variability, land-use patterns, and cultural histories. A particular emphasis is placed on studying the Younger Dryas event, an abrupt climatic period with substantial impacts on ecosystems and human societies. Integrating geochemical, stratigraphic, and paleoecological analyses, CORE enhances our understanding of landscape evolution and human responses to environmental changes. The project’s findings contribute to broader discussions on resilience, adaptation, and environmental change on both regional and global scales.
