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Arts and Entertainment: Fiber Artist Classes at Cedar Key Arts Center
January 5th, 2013

Fishing News: A Warm Winter Day
December 31st, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: ACOUSTICAL AFTERNOON FOR THE ARTS FUNDRAISER FOR THE CEDAR KEY ARTS FESTIVAL
December 31st, 2012

Garden Club News: Cedar Key Garden Club is sponsoring a guest speaker at the CK Library
December 30th, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: Cedar Key Arts Center - January Events
December 25th, 2012

Announcements: Eagle Santa
December 25th, 2012

Announcements: Cedar Key "Pirates" will Host Returning Troops
December 23rd, 2012

Obituaries: Marie Yearty Johnson
December 22nd, 2012

Obituaries: Ayleen Marie Rains
December 22nd, 2012

Arts and Entertainment: CEDAR KEY ART FESTIVAL DEADLINE EXTENDED
December 21st, 2012

Garden Club News: CK Garden Club Jack Tyson Memorial Planter
December 21st, 2012

Columns: Trouble in Cedar Key - Personal Mission Statements, New Years Resolutions
December 21st, 2012

Announcements: Volunteers Deck the Halls of the Lighthouse
December 20th, 2012

City News: December 18, 2012, COMMISSION MEETING
December 20th, 2012

School News: Shark Reports -12/19/12
December 19th, 2012

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Demystifying Shell Mound 2013

Demystifying Shell Mound 2013

Pam Darty

Last Saturday, nearly one hundred curious attendees were treated to the archaeological update by University of Florida`s Dr. Kenneth Sassaman. For the last four years he and his graduate students spent much time along the thirty coastal miles of the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge and the thirteen islands of the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge - all the while still teaching classes and producing papers from their other research.

Sassaman`s audience hung on every word as they have done for the previous three years of his exciting presentations. Interesting new findings, ancient post holes from last May`s Shell Mound digs, tell us that there were indeed structures on the lower levels of the mound. This coming May`s research may expose more evidence of structures on the higher planes of the twenty-eight foot monument.

A surprise discovery was that of a cache with various-sized steatite bowls. The steatite or soapstone bowls would have been a trade item from indigenous clans around Atlanta, where the closest quarry still sits in a median by the airport. In a time of no horses, imagine carrying these huge, heavy, highly-valued trade items! Or were they carried down on a travois, or in a dugout through Georgia`s many rivers?

The most revealing discovery addressed sea-level rise and fall over the millennia. Each site faces east, relative to solstice and equinox points. If viewed as a grid, most all the occupation sites were on the same grid, just moving toward or away from the shoreline while keeping the same relationship to the sun (see photo).

In 2014, all of the findings will be produced in a report to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Lower Suwannee NWR. Afterward, the interpretive ranger will write signs to be added to the Shell Mound Trail for further understanding of the heavily visited site. Depending on the federal budget, non-government grants will more than likely be needed to fund this project.

"Refuges are place where the people of today can renew the ties to their cultural heritage by viewing ancient & historic sites. These ties strengthen the connection between wildlife & people."

Fulfilling the Promise, USFWS.


Grid of all occupied areas shows movement over millenia.

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