Publisher's Note
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE Public Archaeology Network (FPAN) East Central Region from 2010 through 2013. Under the direction of FHS, the East Central Region was one of FPAN’s most successful. Today, FHS is continuing our long tradition of supporting archaeology in the state with the Florida Historical Society Archaeological Insti- tute (FHSAI), established in 2014. The mission statement says that FHSAI “is dedicated to educating the public about Florida archae- DR. BEN BROTEMARKLE ology through research, publication, educa- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR tional outreach, and the promotion of com- FLORIDA HISTORICAL SOCIETY plimentary work by other organizations.” Based at the Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science in Cocoa, FHSAI pres- Established in 1856, the Florida Histori- ents lectures on a wide variety of archaeol- cal Society has been supporting archaeolo- ogy topics, provides educational outreach gy in the state for more than a century. at events and in classrooms throughout the state, and promotes the work of other orga- FHS was the first state-wide organization nizations through the Florida Frontiers pub- dedicated to the preservation of Florida his- lic radio and television programs. tory and prehistory, as stated in our 1905 constitution. We were the first state-wide Publications of the Florida Historical Society organization to preserve Native American Archaeological Institute include the books artifacts such as stone pipes, arrowheads, Searching Sand and Surf: The Origins of Ar- and pottery, and the first to actively pro- chaeology in Florida edited by Rachel K. mote and publish archaeological research Wentz, Florida & Caribbean Native People: dating back to the early 1900s. Archaeolo- Paintings of Theodore Morris with commen- gy enthusiast Clarence B. Moore became a tary from professional archaeologists, Hand- Member of the Florida Historical Society in fuls of History: Stories about Florida’s Past by 1907, and donated his written works to the Jerald T. Milanich, and the annual magazine Library of Florida History. Adventures in Florida Archaeology. From the early twentieth century to the We hope you enjoy this 2017 edition of our present, leading Florida archaeologists magazine. Last year’s edition is available on- have had their work published in the FHS line as a pdf at myfloridahistory.org/fh- journal, the Florida Historical Quarterly. The sai/2016magazine. Florida Historical Society was instrumental in the creation of the position of State Ar- chaeologist and the establishment of the Florida Anthropological Society (FAS) in the 1940s, and served as host of the Florida 2 | Adventures in Florida Archaeology TABLE OF CONTENTS 04 NEW LUNA SETTLEMENT EXCAVATION FEATURING: Dr. Gregory D. Cook, Dr. John E. Worth, Dr. Elizabeth Benchley, Jan Lloyd, Dr. John R. Bratten, Tom Garner Archaeologists at the University of West Florida have identified the terrestrial site of Don Tristan de Luna’s ill-fated 1559 settlement in modern-day Pensacola, and are making new discoveries under water in Pensacola Bay. 10 35 YEARS OF DISCOVERY: THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF WINDOVER FEATURING: Dr. Glen Doran, Vera Zimmerman, Dr. Geoffrey Thomas, Dr. Rochelle Marrinan, Patrisha L. Meyers, Brian Owens The Windover pond cemetery was discovered in 1982, and 35 years later it remains one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world. Research continues on the remarkably well preserved ancient burials. 16 A CONVERSATION WITH ARCHAEOLOGIST AND AUTHOR JERALD T. MILANICH In an interview with the Florida Historical Society Archaeological Institute at the Brevard Museum of History and Natural Science in Cocoa, eminent historical archaeologist Dr. Jerald T. Milanich discusses the future of Florida archaeology, a controversial view of the Miami Circle, the Spanish mission system, and his new book Handfuls of History: Stories about Florida’s Past. 26 NATIVE FLORIDIANS AND MISSISSIPPIAN CULTURE WITH DR. KEITH ASHLEY Keith Ashley is an archaeologist and research coordinator at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Ashley’s research is demonstrating a link between Native Floridians and the thriving Mississippian culture. 30 THE APALACHEE AT MISSION SAN LUIS WITH KARIN STANFORD The Apalachee lived in Florida’s Panhandle, and by the 1500s they had developed a sophisticated culture with farming villages and ceremonial centers. By 1656, the Spanish established Mission San Luis at the seat of Apalachee power. 34 ARCHAEOLOGICAL RUINS IN NEW SMYRNA BEACH WITH DOT MOORE Some of the most controversial architectural ruins in Florida are in New Smyrna Beach. The so-called “Old Fort Ruins” are from the British period, and the “Sugar Mill Ruins” date from when Florida was a U.S. Territory. Adventures in Florida Archaeology | 3 NEW LUNA SETTLEMENT EXCAVATION: FEATURING: DR. GREGORY D. COOK, DR. JOHN E. WORTH, DR. ELIZABETH BENCHLEY, JAN LLOYD, DR. JOHN R. BRATTEN, TOM GARNER Don Tristan de Luna lands at present day Pensacola in 1559. Painting by Herbert Rudeen. Archaeologists at the University of West Florida have identified the terrestrial site of Don Tristan de Luna’s ill-fated 1559 settlement in modern-day Pensacola, and are making new discoveries under water in Pensacola Bay. On August 15, 1559, Spanish conquistador Don Tristan de Luna sailed into what is now Pensacola Bay with 1,500 colonists aboard a fleet of 12 ships. They intended to establish the first permanent European settlement in what would become the United States, but a violent hurricane altered those plans. “We’re fortunate that we have a letter that Luna wrote after the hurricane to the King of Spain, describing the storm,” says Gregory D. Cook, assistant professor of maritime ar- chaeology at the University of West Florida. “He said it raged for 24 hours, that it hit during the night with great loss of ships and lives and property.” 4 | Adventures in Florida Archaeology The month before the hurricane struck, the building. They called that a Ramada, which settlers probably built temporary housing, implies it had a roof but no walls. So, they and got started on more permanent struc- didn’t build much as far as we can tell, and tures to establish a colony. we’re hoping the archaeology will reveal what actually happened, because the re- “They presumably searched around and cords aren’t very clear about that.” eventually found the perfect spot where they wanted to set up this first town, which would While historical documents provide a lot eventually have, in theory, about a hundred of information about the intensity of the families residing here,” says John E. Worth, as- hurricane that sunk Luna’s fleet and the sociate professor of anthropology at the Uni- difficulties that the colonists faced, the ex- versity of West Florida. “They spent the next act location of the attempted settlement five weeks probably clearing the forest and was unclear. beginning to set up streets and house lots, and building structures. They kept all of their One of the Luna shipwrecks was discovered important food on the ships, which of course by underwater archaeologists in 1992, and was the safest spot until they built on land.” another in 2006, but until recently, the ter- restrial site of the attempted Luna settle- The settlers were in the midst of construc- ment remained a mystery. tion and totally unprepared for the devastat- ing hurricane that came in from the east. Ten The Emmanuel Point I and Emmanuel ships were still anchored in the bay. Seven Point II shipwrecks continue to provide ar- were destroyed, and most of the food sup- chaeologists and archaeology students the plies for the colony were lost. “We assume they were going to follow normal Spanish plans for a settlement that would have included a plaza and public buildings, and a church and a special house for Luna in the high status area,” says Elizabeth Bench- ley, director of the University of West Florida archaeology institute. “Because the hurri- cane struck after only 30 days, we’re pretty sure they didn’t get much of that built.” Luna wanted to make the settlement a suc- cess, despite the impact of the hurricane. The effort lasted nearly two years, over the growing objections of the settlers. The re- sources readily available were limited and there were no native people in the vicinity to help provide food. Some supplies came from Veracruz and Cuba, which kept the settlement going for a while. “Over time, they were able to build some kinds of structures,” says Benchley. “There’s reference to the warehouse being built and being a secure building. There are ref- erences to a church, which you would ex- Sherds of Aztec tradition red filmed pottery found at the pect from a Spanish colony to be a priori- Luna settlement, two with traces of black painted designs, and a modeled face sherd discovered on the Emmanuel ty, but we know that was not a substantial Point I wreck, with scale. Photo courtesy of the University of West Florida. Adventures in Florida Archaeology | 5 opportunity to discover artifacts such as When the Luna settlement site was con- stone cannon balls, copper arrow tips to be firmed on land, it was within view of UWF’s used with crossbows, ceramics including underwater archaeology barge. This helped olive jars, and the bones of livestock, rats, lead to the discovery of more Luna ship- and pet cats. wrecks. Remnants from a third and possi- bly fourth shipwreck were identified shortly “What I really like and get excited about after the terrestrial site was located. are the items that have a personal touch, that tell something about the story,” says While the Luna shipwrecks have yielded John Bratten, chair of the University of West fascinating artifacts for decades, it wasn’t Florida anthropology department. “This is until last fall that the exact location of the a wooden spoon, it’s probably made out oldest multi-year European settlement in of olive wood, but this would have been a the United States was discovered in a Pen- sailor’s personal spoon that he would have sacola neighborhood.