1.2 Archaeological evidence and prehistoric settlements

Florida's archaeological sites offer a window into its rich pre-Columbian past. From the Windover Bog's preserved remains to the Miami Circle's mysterious structure, these sites reveal the complexity of ancient Floridian societies and their advanced engineering skills.

Artifacts like textiles, wooden carvings, and pottery tell stories of early life in Florida. They showcase artistic talent, religious practices, and trade networks. These findings, along with settlement types and archaeological methods, paint a vivid picture of Florida's diverse prehistoric cultures.

Archaeological Sites and Artifacts

Major archaeological sites in Florida

Top images from around the web for Major archaeological sites in Florida

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  burrow | Mound Key Archaeological Site, inhabited by Calusa … | Flickr View original

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  Crystal River Archaeological State Park - Wikimedia Commons View original

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  Crystal River State Archaeologic Site | View from the First … | Flickr View original

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  burrow | Mound Key Archaeological Site, inhabited by Calusa … | Flickr View original

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Top images from around the web for Major archaeological sites in Florida

• 

  burrow | Mound Key Archaeological Site, inhabited by Calusa … | Flickr View original

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• 

  Crystal River Archaeological State Park - Wikimedia Commons View original

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• 

  Crystal River State Archaeologic Site | View from the First … | Flickr View original

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  burrow | Mound Key Archaeological Site, inhabited by Calusa … | Flickr View original

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  Crystal River Archaeological State Park - Wikimedia Commons View original

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• Windover Bog near Titusville dates back to 6000-5000 BCE containing exceptionally preserved human remains and artifacts offering unique insights into early Floridian life

• Fort Center in Glades County occupied from 450 BCE to 1700 CE features extensive earthworks and wooden structures showcasing advanced engineering skills of ancient inhabitants

• Crystal River Archaeological State Park on Gulf Coast occupied 500 BCE to 1400 CE includes complex of temple mounds and burial sites revealing sophisticated social organization

• Mound Key Archaeological State Park in Estero Bay served as capital of Calusa civilization from 100 CE to 1700 CE demonstrating advanced political structures

• Miami Circle in downtown Miami dates to 500 BCE consists of circular arrangement of postholes cut into bedrock suggesting complex architectural knowledge

Significance of pre-Columbian artifacts

• Windover textiles represent oldest known woven fabric in North America providing crucial insights into early textile production techniques and material culture

• Carved wooden artifacts from Fort Center include animal effigies and ceremonial objects revealing artistic sophistication and religious practices of ancient Floridians

• Shell tools and ornaments found at various coastal sites demonstrate resourceful utilization of marine materials and extensive trade networks

• Pottery sherds with varying styles indicate cultural changes over time help establish chronologies and delineate cultural boundaries

• Human remains offer valuable information on diet, health, and genetic makeup while burial practices provide insights into social structures and belief systems

Settlement Types and Archaeological Methods

Types of prehistoric Florida settlements

• Shell middens accumulations of discarded shells and refuse indicate long-term occupation and dietary habits of coastal dwellers

• Temple mounds large earthen structures used for ceremonial purposes often part of complex chiefdom societies demonstrating social stratification

• Earthworks include canals, raised fields, and defensive structures showcasing advanced engineering skills and social organization

• Coastal settlements often built on stilts or elevated areas adapted to marine environments demonstrating environmental adaptability

• Inland villages located near freshwater sources often associated with agricultural practices revealing diverse subsistence strategies

Role of archaeology in Florida's history

• Stratigraphic excavation reveals chronological sequence of occupation helps establish cultural changes over time providing temporal context

• Radiocarbon dating provides absolute dates for organic materials allows for precise timeline construction enhancing historical accuracy

• Artifact analysis includes typology and sourcing studies reveals trade networks and technological advancements of prehistoric societies

• Paleoenvironmental reconstruction uses pollen and faunal remains helps understand past climates and ecosystems contextualizing human adaptations

• Ethnohistorical comparisons between archaeological findings and early European accounts aids in interpreting cultural practices and social structures

• Remote sensing techniques (ground-penetrating radar, LiDAR) allow for non-invasive site discovery and mapping expanding knowledge of settlement patterns