Two Free Ranger Programs
Celebrate Florida Archaeology Month with the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge at one of the most spectacular Archaic sites along the gulfcoast, Shell Mound. Back in the 1930's when wealthy hobbyist Montegue Talent brought his crew to "collect" treasures from the graves of ancients laid to rest here in the lands we now call the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge. The six thousand year-old Shell Mound was begun before the great pyramids of Egypt, before the creation of pottery, and before the complex spirituality of the later culture of the Crystal River mound complex, one hour south. Over the 3,000 years of construction, the people living here progressed and developed into what academia calls the Woodland Period culture. Join the Ranger for an easy walk back in time on Monday, March 17, at 9:00 am. Meet the Refuge Ranger at Shell Mound Trailhead where the paintings by Theodore Morris will put a face to the story of the "Shell Cultures of the Estuary." Immediately afterward, at 11:00 am, at the Cedar Key Library, footage featuring the spectacular ceremonial pottery that was looted from the gravesites in the 1930's will be shown and discussed. Also, a presentation created by archaeologist, Richard Warner of the US Fish and Wildlife Service will illustrate lifeways of the shell cultures. Refuges are places where the people of today can renew the ties to their cultural heritage by viewing ancient & historic sites. Join the ranger for this enlightening free program. | 
