CSI: Archaeology

From: Southwest Florida Archaeological Society

What: CSI: Archaeology

Presenter: Maranda Almy Kles

When: September 15, 2010 at 7 PM

Where: Bonita Springs Community Hall
27381 Old U.S. 41
Bonita Springs, FL 34135-5536


Have you ever wondered how CSI’s “Bones” knows what she knows about skeletal remains? Have you ever wondered if any of it can be applied to archaeology? So often skeletal remains are collected and minimally analyzed, and then passed over for the pottery and post holes that reveal so much about a culture. The human skeleton records just about everything about us: sex, stature, ancestry, diet, and so much more. The people make the culture. Understanding their remains can help us better understand the culture.

The September SWFAS talk, “CSI: Archaeology,” will highlight the different aspects of the biological profile of a human skeleton. Kles will also review an archaeological case from Southwest Florida and show how a combination of forensic techniques, archaeology, and historical analysis can reveal some interesting information about Florida’s past peoples. Hopefully at the end you will know what “Bones” knows and see how it can be used with archaeology to examine our past.

Maranda Almy Kles, MA, MS is a PhD student at the University of Florida, studying forensics and bioarchaeology. Her current research looks at biological distance in the Native American populations that inhabited pre-contact Florida. She has also worked as a Death Investigator for a medical examiner’s office and currently teaches an undergrad class on Forensic Anthropology.

For more information call Matthew Schuld at the Florida Public Archaeology Network Southwest Regional Center (239) 765-0202 ext. 153

Public Day at Fort Center

Who: Florida Public Archaeology Network, Southwest Florida Archaeological Society, The Clewiston Museum and Dr. Victor Thompson of Ohio State University

What: Archaeological Excavations at Fort Center Open to the Public

Where: Fisheating Creek Wildlife Management Access, SR-78 North of Moore Haven, FL

When: Friday, July 16, 10:00am-3:00pm

Dr. Victor Thompson of Ohio State University, who is conducting an undergraduate field school at Fort Center, will lead tours for the public along with project team members. Thompson’s excavations mark the first time in decades that this important Belle Glade site has been subject to excavation. All ages are welcome. We'll have atlatl throwing for kids (adults can give it a shot, too), free FPAN gear, and a table full of information on Florida archaeology.

Also, don't pass up this opportunity to stop by the Clewiston Museum in Downtown Clewiston. The museum is located off SR-80 in downtown Clewiston.

The Fort Center site is managed by Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Commission and is located off of SR-78 North of Moore Haven at the Fisheating Creek parking access. The site is located in a wooded, rural area so wear proper attire (long pants, sturdy shoes). Bring water, sun block, bug spray, and rain protection to ensure a pleasant tour. Restroom facilities, a parking area, and picnic shelters are available near the entrance to the site. If you have any questions, call or e-mail Matt Schuld 239.765.0202 ext 153 matt[at]fortmyersbeachfl.gov or Steve Archer 239.765.0202 ext 152 sarcher[at]fortmyersbeachfl.gov.

June: A new home and two workshops

Hosting two workshops while adjusting to our new offices at the recently restored Historic Seven Seas House at Newton Beach Park made June a busy month for the Southwest Regional Center. If visitors to our new office grow board, at least they’ll daydream while taking in a view of the Gulf. Formerly the home of James and Eleanor Newton, the Seven Seas House was obtained by the Town of Fort Myers Beach in 2003. Grants from the Florida Communities Trust program and Lee County assisted in financing the conversion of the home to a center for education, a public park, and the new home of the Florida Public Archaeology Network's Southwest Regional Center!

On June 17, Kevin Porter of Florida Division of Historical Resources visited from Tallahassee to offer Historic and Archaeological Resource Training (HART). Planners, land managers, and cultural resource stakeholders from the counties of Charlotte, Collier, and Lee were on hand for a crash course in the laws and ethics that apply to Florida’s archaeological and historic resources. One of FPAN’s core goals is to support local governments in their efforts to preserve and protect regional archaeological resources.

One week later we conducted our first Project Archaeology: Investigating Shelter teacher training workshop. We had a great group of teachers and heritage educators who attended. Who knew you could learn so much about archaeology from wall walkers, slinkies, finger traps, and an imaginary living room? On the second day teachers got serious, using real archaeological data to investigate the site of a Poplar Forest Slave Cabin. A sneak peak at the new Shell Mound Exhibit at Mound House hopefully reduced the potential for workshop restlessness. If you’re upset because you missed the workshop, don’t fear; we’ll be hosting another one soon!

Steve Koski speaking on Little Salt Spring Tonight June 16

Steve Koski, a long-time friend of SWFAS, returns on June 16 to talk about recent work at Little Salt Spring. Koski, a Research Associate at the University of Miami, is giving a special presentation of the paper he presented at the May FAS meeting: “Analysis of Two Middle Archaic Compound
Artifacts from the Lower Basin of Little Salt Spring.”

The meeting begins at 7:30 but please join us between 7 and 7:30 for snacks and
socializing. The meeting will be in Bonita Springs at Community Hall, 27381 Old US-41.

We Found the Fort in Fort Myers

Where is the Fort in Fort Myers? Those on the May 7 walking tour found out. Led by Marion Almy and Lee Hutchinson of Archaeological Consultants, Inc. (ACI), tour-goers were treated to photos, maps, and stories about the excavation of a U.S. Military Cemetery, Fort Harvie, and Fort Myers. Almy and Hutchinson were contracted by the Florida Department of Transportation in 1992 to excavate portions of the site. Both have significant archaeological experience in Florida and served as excellent guides.

Starting from the Harborside Event Center, attendees were guided from the original shoreline of the Caloosahatchee River over the Military Parade Grounds, Officer Quarters, a Blacksmith Shop, and even a 19th Century bowling alley. Many of those on the tour were also visiting Fort Myers for the Florida Anthropological Society’s Annual Conference. The tour was well attended, and our office definitely intends to offer similar tours in the future.

Earth Day at Koreshan Saturday April 24

We're looking forward to being at Koreshan State Historic Site for their Earth Day event on Saturday. It's a great, fascinating site to visit if you've never been, and the Earth Day exhibitors and events should make it well worth your while. Hope to see you there!

More information here

Michael Wylde on the Mound 5 Dig at Pineland

At the April 21 SWFAS meeting in Bonita Springs, Michael Wylde of Randell Research Center will talk about the excavation in Mound 5 of the Pineland site. The meeting begins at 7:30; coffee and snacks are available at 7.

As usual, the talk is free, open to the public and held at the Bonita Springs Community Hall, 27381 Old US-41 in Bonita Springs.

In late December 2009, the Randell Research Center was offered an opportunity to examine Mound 5 of the Brown’s Mound Complex on property adjacent to RRC. Brown’s Mound 1, the largest mound on the Pineland site, is thought to have been surrounded by five other mounds, forming a six mound “complex.” Mound 5 is indicated on a map drawn by Frank Hamilton Cushing in 1895, before twentieth-century land modifications began.

Walking Tour May 7, sign up now!

After a hectic Archaeology Month, we've been catching up on things in the office, but there's plenty coming in the days and weeks ahead. One of the things we're most excited about is the Florida Anthropological Society conference to be held in Fort Myers May 7-9 - our FPAN center is heavily involved with a lot of the conference organizing.

There will be a great public event - an archaeology walking tour of Downtown Fort Myers on May 7 at noon - you don't have to be participating in the conference to attend. Archaeologists Marion Almy and Lee Hutchinson of Archaeological Consultants, Inc. will be leading - an opportunity that doesn't come up every day. If you're working downtown and want to learn a little about what's underfoot, it is a great use of your lunch break!

Space is limited, so call to reserve a space, the tour is free! 239-765-0202 ext. 152.

Florida Frontier Days

Join us this Saturday, March 27 at the Florida Frontier Days Festival in Charlotte Harbor!

The FPAN Southwest Regional Center is excited to participate in the festival and provide information and kids' activities.

The event is put on by the Charlotte County Historical Center and held at Bayshore Live Oak Park in beautiful Charlotte Harbor. Each year, area school children, teachers, friends and families gather to experience traditional pioneer entertainment, old-fashioned games, hands-on activities and delicious frontier-style food. Period artisans work their crafts as visitors try their hand at old time activities such as candle-dipping, rug braiding, sock puppets and kite making. Games of sack race, tug o war, or horseshoes entertain as visitors listen to local musicians play traditional folk music. There’s something for everyone at the 14th annual Florida Frontier Days Festival. Admission tor the festival is just $ 3.00 for adults and $ 2.00 for children 12 and under. All proceeds benefit the Charlotte County Historical Center, its educational programs and exhibits.

Boat Tours to Mound Key

Mound House will be offering boat tours to Mound Key, the ancient capital city of the Calusa. Tours depart from Mound House (in Fort Myers Beach) on Thursday March 25 and Friday March 26 at 9:30 a.m., with archaeologist Theresa Schober giving a guided tour. Tickets are $40 per person, and proceeds benefit Mound House programming. Call Mound House at 239-765-0865 to make reservations.

On April 18, Friends of the Collier Museum will also offer a boat tour to Mound Key, leaving from Bonita Beach. Cost is $50 for members, $65 for non-members. For more information on this tour, call 239-252-8476 Monday through Friday 8am-5pm.

Irish Settlement and Identity talk March 17 at SWFAS

At the March 17 Southwest Florida Archaeological Society meeting (incidentally on St. Patrick’s Day), Julie Richko Labate, a Ph.D. candidate at University College in Dublin, Ireland, will talk about Irish settlement in Texas. The talk will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Bonita Springs Community Hall, 27831 Old US-41, Bonita Springs. Join us at 7 for refreshments and socializing.

Julie Richko Labate, M.A., R.P.A., is a PhD candidate with the University College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland. Julie earned her bachelor’s from Florida Atlantic University and master’s degree from Illinois State University in anthropology and archaeology, respectively. While attaining her PhD, she is currently living in South Florida and working as the Tribal Archaeologist for the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

And don't forget Archaeology Day at the Collier Museum, this weekend, also co-hosted by SWFAS!

Archaeology Day at the Collier County Museum

Speeding right along with Archaeology Month events, join us March 20 at the Collier County Museum in Naples to hear local speakers on Florida Archaeology, meet FPAN staff, get your free Florida Archaeology Month Poster and bookmark, visit the Craighead Archaeological Lab and much more!

FPAN at Chalo Nitka

FPAN had a great time kicking off Florida Archaeology Month at the Chalo Nitka Festival in Moore Haven on March 6. The event offered our center an excellent opportunity to meet residents of Moore Haven, Clewiston, and other nearby communities. The event was well attended, and we hope our presence increased attendees’ interest in their archaeological past.

Calusa Heritage Day at Pineland March 13

We continue full speed ahead with Florida Archaeology Month and will be attending the Randell Research Center's Calusa Heritage Day at the Pineland archaeological site complex on Pine Island. Come visit, try your hand at making a bead timeline of Florida archaeology and pick up a free Florida Archaeology Month poster celebrating Florida's Mounds.

The Randell Research Center's fifth annual Calusa Heritage Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The event focuses on regional archaeology, history, and ecology. Art, music, and replicative technologies, as avenues to learning/education about Pineland's heritage, are included. Activities for children and adults alike will be provided, and food and beverages will be available. Admission is $5 per person; children under 12 are admitted free. All proceeds benefit the education and research programs of the Calusa Heritage Trail, Randell Research Center.

Featured speaker this year is GEORGE BURGESS, internationally recognized ichthyologist and coordinator of the International Shark Attack File. His lecture is entitled, "Smalltooth Sawfish: America's First Federally Endangered Marine Fish."

The day-long event will take place at the Pineland archaeological site complex (13810 Waterfront Drive, Pineland) and will be centered around the Pavilion/Classroom and Calusa Heritage Trail. Visitors can expect a variety of activities, exhibits, and information stations in a festival format, as well as site tours.

www.flmnh.ufl.edu/RRC/events.htm

FPAN at Chalo Nitka March 6

FPAN is excited to be attending the Sixty-First Annual Chalo Nitka Festival in Moore Haven on March 6. The FPAN booth will be offering informational pamphlets, fun activities, and free FPAN merchandise.

The festival is held at Chalo Nitka Park on 10th Street off US- 27. For a schedule of events or other information, visit http://www.chalonitka.com/.

Two upcoming events February 17 and 20

On Wednesday, February 17, Hope Hawkins from the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum will talk
about the field work conducted last summer on the Big Cypress Reservation, looking for the site of Seminole War Fort Shackelford. The meeting begins at 7:30; coffee and snacks
are available at 7. Bonita Springs Community Hall, 27381 Old US-41, Bonita Springs, this is a free event.

On Saturday, February 20, Archaeologists Michael Moseley and Susan deFrance of the University of Florida will present an illustrated lecture on The Early Coastal Archaeology of Peru and The Rise and Fall of Caral, An Ancient Andean Civilization, at the Calusa Heritage Trail classroom, Randell Research Center, 13810 Waterfront Drive, Pineland, (Pine Island) at 2 PM. Admission is $5 at the door. Phone 239-283-2157 for information.

Events January 30

Meet FPAN and Mound House staff at the Edison Festival of Light Day of Discovery Village on Saturday January 30th. Science educators from around the state will be there! The event is free, from 10am to 4pm in Centennial Park, across from the Harborside Event Center in downtown Fort Myers.

Also on January 30, our friends at the Randell Research Center will be hosting a fundraising event, "Music on the Mounds", at the Pineland site on Pine Island. Tickets are $20 - all the info you need to know is here!

Welcome Matthew Schuld, New Outreach Coordinator

Matthew Schuld begins this week as our new Outreach Coordinator for the Southwest Regional Center. Matthew, who relocated from Kalamazoo, Michigan in January, graduated from Western Michigan University with a Master of Arts in Public History in June 2009. Prior to his hiring with the Town of Fort Myers Beach he was employed as the post-graduate intern with the Kalamazoo Public Library Local History Department and carried out private contract work with the National Park Service at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. He has also served on the board of several civic and professional organizations.

We're glad Matt is on board! He'll be assisting with all aspects of our programming. Feel free to contact him at matt@fortmyersbeachfl.gov

Ann Cordell at SWFAS January 20th

At the January 20 SWFAS meeting in Bonita Springs, Ann Cordell of the University of Florida’s Florida Museum of Natural History will talk about her work with Kathleen Deagan on 16th century pottery from the Fountain of YouthPark Site in St. Augustine. The meeting begins at 7:30; coffee and snacks are available at 7.

As always, the SWFAS meetings are open to the interested public and held at the Bonita Springs Community Hall, 27831 Old US-41 in Bonita Springs.