Demystifying Shell Mound 2013

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.