A Pair of Mounds - Hontoon Island and Turtle Mound

7/15/08

For centuries, Floridians have enjoyed the expansive views offered by large Indian mounds. In a state where the highest elevation is a 345 foot hill in the western panhandle, high ground has always held special importance. Before modern, multi-level structures were built, some of Florida's larger shell mounds were the highest features for hundreds of square miles.

The huge Turtle Mound, located a few miles south of New Smyrna, served dual purposes as both lookout point and landmark. Located on a narrow sliver of land (actually a long sand dune) separating the Atlantic Ocean from Mosquito Lagoon, this 70 foot heap of oyster shells, bone and pot shards provided local Indians and settlers a great vantage point from which to scan the horizon. Conversely, seafarers sailing along this level coastline, were all familiar with this distinctive, turtle-shaped landmark.

These days, Florida's Indian mounds are offering a new kind of view. As the highly concentrated and centralized repositories of food remains and artifacts, these refuse heaps are providing invaluable "views" into the lives of the people who made them. Through ongoing excavations, archaeologists are peeling back the layers of mystery surrounding these ancient people.

One limiting factor to studying these mounds is that most materials decay with time. It's usually only hard substances like shells, bones, cartilage, teeth and pottery that have survived. Softer items, such as those made of wood, flesh and plant material don't make it - usually. One rare exception is the large mound on Hontoon Island. Uniquely situated at the the edge of a backwater swamp, much of the mound material fell into the acidic, low-oxygen water where it was preserved. Through analysis of seeds and other perishable materials, researchers have identified 48 animal and 28 plant species that were used (mostly for food) by the people who lived here from about A.D. 1 well into 1700's.

This weekend, we'll be enjoying the views from both of these unique mounds. And, if you decide to take the short hike to the top of Turtle Mound, you might be able to enjoy the newest kind of view offered by this ancient lookout. In clear weather, with average binoculars, one can easily spot NASA's huge vehicle assembly building (which, by some accounts, houses the largest single "room" in the world) - a hopeful view of the future.