Florida--Antiquities

Many archaeological culture area models have been proposed for southern Florida. The most important reason for the number of alternative models may be a lack of precise means to evaluate them in relation to individual archaeological sites. This thesis addresses these problems using Jupiter Inlet I (8PB34) as an example. The relative frequencies of ceramic types from this site are compared to other sites with generally accepted cultural affiliations. The multivariate statistical technique known as discriminant analysis is used to directly compare comparable components from each site. This analysis reveals that archaeological areas in southern Florida can be determined fairly well based on ceramic data alone. A more objective archaeological area model is proposed for southern Florida. In this model, Jupiter Inlet I is shown to be part of several different archaeological areas over time.

The Rolling Oaks II site is one of a series of habitation
sites in central Broward County, part of the Tequesta Sub-
Area of the Glades Area of South Florida. This report
explores the idea that these sites were more than mere
hunting camps, but were semi-permanent interrelated inland
communities. These sites probably date from the
Late Archaic through tho Glades Periods in an uninterrupted
sequence based on the ceramics and non-ceramic
artifacts recovered.

An interesting collection of small wooden or metal objects,
bearing a design which has not yet been interpreted satisfactorily,
has been found at sites scattered throughout
the Calusa and Okeechobee subareas of the Glades archaeological
area and extending northward into the Kissimmee
Area. These objects, which usually bear circles and-or a
cross on their upper zone and "teardrops" and what looks
like a stylized mouth on their lower zone, lend support to
the contention that the 16th Century Calusa were a conquest
society. This in turn casts further doubt upon the
utility of traditional classificatory systems in defining
the nature of an individual culture. Specifically, the data
support the belief that the shift from egalitarianism to
stratification is more significant than the shift from
kinship control to territorial control.

A problem-oriented modal classification of 20,411 ceramic
specimens from (8 Wa 14) the Saint Marks National Wildlife
Refuge Fire Tower Site makes five contributions to Gulf
Coastal Plain archaeology possible. First, it is possible
to emphasize the influence of the Orange phase and ceramic
series upon coeval Gulf Coastal Plain cultures. Second, an
"Experimental Period" of social/economic charge is defined.
This period was instrumental in precipitating the Deptford
to (early) Swift Creek ceramic and cultural transition .
Third, a new method of illustrating stamped pottery motifs
via lithography is presented. Fourth, it is possible to lay
the groundwork for recognizing a "pure" (early) Swift Creek
Period by tracing the development and distribution of
stamped ceramic motifs, a period which is presently unrecognized
in Southeastern archaeological literature. Finally,
this report documents the largest ceramic collection from
an (early) Swift Creek secular habitation site on the Northwest
Gulf Coast of Florida.

Pollen extracted from twenty-one fecal samples uncovered during
the 1962-1970 excavations of a Hopewell Period ceremonial mound
and artificial pond offer information on climate, habitats,
diet, and season to contribute to the corn agriculture theory
for the site. Plant families in the sample suggest today's
sub-tropical moist climate and three major habitats: savannah,
hammock, and meander valley, indicating that corn could have
been a viable crop with proper drainage. A "starvation stew"
partaken of in a "spring-rites" ritual is suggested and is
compatible with the corn agriculture theory. Variety of wild
plants in all samples suggests a grab-bag concoction with
minimal dietary significance for any particular wild plant.
A spring-blooming sample population over decades suggests
that this stew was eaten only at this, a time of depleted
corn stores. Ceremonial context of the sample suggests an
annual spring-planting-rites communion "meal" to explain the
single season sample for a sedentary agricultural people.

In the St. Johns River area of Florida, the preceramic period has
been found to have certain different artifact types than the
neighboring Archaic traditions. These different artifact types--
shell gouges and celts--have their closest similarities with types
from the preceramic of Venezuela and Cuba. It was postulated that
the influence for the similar shell tools was derived from the
original settlement of the Caribbean area by migrating groups from
the northern South American coast. It was further postulated that
the original inhabitants of the St. Johns area were part of the
migrating groups and that they arrived in the area probably by way
of the Everglades. Evidence from the Caribbean area preceramic
periods was examined for proof of this migration. Finally, a possible
linguistic relationship with the historic Indians of the St. Johns
area and the Warao of Venezuela Has discussed.

Through controlled stratigraphic excavations, surface collections and
published reports, a coastal Belle Glade settlement pattern and cultural
complex is reconstructed. This site was continually occupied
for a period of about 1,000 years. A population increase and an increase
in socio-political complexity coincides with a change in the
subsistence base at this complex during the Glades I period. This
same economic change is noted in many middens along the Florida east
coast and is believed to have been caused by the introduction of agriculture.
This was accompanied by a religious movement in which mound
construction and burial within these mounds were practiced. The
diffusion of this economic-ceremonial complex was from the Lake
Okeechobee area where it developed during the Hopewell period.

Through intensive analysis of use/wear indicators the tool kit of
the little known Belle Glade culture of South Florida has been
reconstructed. From this, we recognize a highly sophisticated
technology which can be divided into specialized, generalized and
ceremonial artifacts. All of these were utilized either directly
or in support of Hopewellian ceremonialism. This, plus a preliminary
analysis of the site plan indicates that one area of the site was
the residence of the ceremonial practitioner, a second was a charnel
house, while a third was the village area where craftsmen who
fashioned ceremonial objects lived with their families.