Drayton Hall’s Prehistoric Past

The human history of occupation of the land where Drayton Hall sits goes back though several centuries, but the natural history of the property spans millions of years! Fossils found through archaeological excavations dating to the Palaeogene Period (43-66 million years ago) reveal a strikingly different environment than what we see today. From these ancient fossil deposits, phosphate rock was formed, and these mineral-rich deposits were mined in the 1870s for fertilizer, ensuring that Drayton Hall could survive the tumultuous post-Civil War years.

Join Director of Archaeology Luke Pecoraro in this webinar on March 9, 2022 at 5PM to learn more about the natural history of Drayton Hall from the fossils found to the phosphate rock created that led to the preservation of the main house and grounds.

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