Shell Mounds

This diorama at the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee shows what a village might have looked like around 1450.

GPS Coordinates: 30° 5.282′ N 84° 9.869′ W

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The Paleo-Indian period lasted about 5,100 years between 13,000 and 7,900 B.C. About 40 Paleo-Indian sites occur near the refuge, mostly along the Aucilla River. Since more of Florida’s land mass was exposed during that time it is likely that several sites are now under the water of Apalachee Bay.

The Archaic Period, between 7,900 – 500 B.C., is divided into Early (7,900 – 5,000 B.C.), Middle (5,000 – 3,000 B.C.), and Late (3,000 – 500 B.C.). During this time some clans began to form small semi-permanent and permanent villages as well as hunting camps near coastal marshes and river systems. Bolen points, a distinctive form of arrowhead found in the southeastern U.S., and fiber tempered pottery appeared during this time period.

The Woodland Period, 500 B.C. to 900 A.D., is divided into three distinctive eras based on· styles of pottery: Deptford (500 B.C. – 100 A.D.); San ta Rosa – Swift Creek ( 100 – 300 A.D.); and Weeden Island (300 – 900 A.D.}. Native cultures became more organized during this period as indicated by elaborate ceremonial complexes, mound burials, permanent settlements, population growth, and organized societies.

The Mississippian – Fort Walton Period, 900 A.D. to the time of European contact, is characterized by the spread of temple mounds the cultivation of crops such as corn, beans, and squash.

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge protects numerous ancient habitation sites; only a few were places of burial. A permanent village required access to a reliable food supply, the resources to build shelters, and a nearby source of fresh water. The coastal area now protected by the refuge supplied abundant varieties of seafood. The forests supplied firewood, small game, some edible plants, and shelter materials. Fresh water was available from the St. Marks and Wakulla Rivers.

The Mounds Trail traverses an area that has been used since prehistoric times. The fire tower is built on a shell midden and evidence of the Deptford, Weeden Island, Swift Creek, and Fort Walton cultures have been discovered by archeological excavations. Humans have touched this land for more than 10,000 years.

This piece of pottery dates from the recent Leon - Jefferson Period (1550-1750 A.D.). Artifacts such as pottery and tools recovered during archeological excavations provide clues about the culture of the various people who lived on this land thousands of years ago. Pottery is one of the signature markers for judging the age of a site. The style and composition of the clay evolved from a simple utilitarian design of the Archaic Period to finer; more artistic bowls, storage jars, or burial vessels with distinctive decorations and pigments that appeared in the Weeden Island Period. — This piece of pottery dates from the recent Leon – Jefferson Period (1550-1750 A.D.). Artifacts such as pottery and tools recovered during archeological excavations provide clues about the culture of the various people who lived on this land thousands of years ago. Pottery is one of the signature markers for judging the age of a site. The style and composition of the clay evolved from a simple utilitarian design of the Archaic Period to finer; more artistic bowls, storage jars, or burial vessels with distinctive decorations and pigments that appeared in the Weeden Island Period.

As you walk along, imagine the scent of wood smoke from a cooking fire and listen for the voices of people who lived in an ancient camp near the Mounds Trail.

Shell Mounds

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