History Crosses Here
Shallow Ford is one of the newest addition to NC Historic Sites, and is currently under development. The ford was one of the main crossing points on the Yadkin River for thousands of years. It was important to the lives of Native Americans, European colonists, soldiers of multiple wars, and citizens of the State of North Carolina.
This 246 acre site was established to preserve and interpret the history of Shallow Ford. The site is currently closed to the public as planning and improvements are designed and built, with a goal of opening by 2025.
Metal Detecting / Relic Hunting
Metal detecting and removal of artifacts from Shallow Ford State Historic Site is strictly prohibited under the North Carolina Archaeological Resources Protection Act.
The North Carolina Archaeological Resources Protection Act prohibits a person from excavating, removing, damaging or otherwise altering or defacing an archeological resource located on state lands. The act declares that a person who violates the above provisions, or employs another person to do so, shall be fined, upon conviction, not more than $2,000 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both, for each day of continued violation. The Act authorizes the Department of Administration, in consultation with the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, to assess a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 against any person who violates such provisions. The act directs the Department of Administration, in determining the amount of the penalty, to consider the extent of the harm caused by the violation and the cost of rectifying the damage. Directs the department to send notice by registered or certified mail of such an assessment to the person being assessed and authorizes the department to institute a civil action in the Superior Court of Wake County if the person being assessed fails to pay the assessment. The act authorizes the department to use the assessed funds to rectify the damage to archeological resources or to otherwise effectuate the purposes of this article. Finally, the act declares that all archeological resources with respect to which a criminal violation has occurred, and all vehicles and equipment used in connection with such violation, shall be subject to forfeiture to the state.
