First, there are a handful of images created by the Calusa themselves: some
simple human figurines and masks, a painting on the inside of a shell, a
statuette which may represent a kneeling man with a panther mask.This issue's good question is for Merald Clark, anthropologist and artist: "Merald, how do you go about creating your artistic reconstructions of the Calusa?"
Merald replies:
Well, it is certainly not an easy task. The Calusa vanished as a people 250 years ago, and very little in the way of visual imagery has come down to us from those days. But I have several ways of creating a reasonable look for the Calusa.
First, there are a handful of images created by the Calusa themselves: some
simple human figurines and masks, a painting on the inside of a shell, a
statuette which may represent a kneeling man with a panther mask.
Second, we have Spanish descriptions. The Calusa wore their hair long. They went about naked, or nearly so, and re-painted their bodies every few days. They wore forehead ornaments. And so on.
Third, skeletal analysis may tell us that one person spent a lot of time diving in deep waters, or that another had long experience paddling a canoe.
Fourth, if we find a certain artifact in an archaeological excavation, we may look to another culture for clues as to how that item may have been used by the Calusa. This method is called ethnographic analogy.
Fifth, we like to replicate the artifacts, whenever we can, and test hypotheses, as I have done with this carving of a crane s head that was probably used in ritual dances or entertainment.
I find it a fascinating challenge to see if I can create a convincing view of Calusa life, but I always keep in mind that I m trying to figure out the picture on a jigsaw puzzle from only a couple of pieces. If we were to travel back in a time machine, the real truth would undoubtedly surprise us. But I hope that my drawings provide at least a reminder of the living, breathing people responsible for the shell tools, the broken pottery, the artistic masterpieces of carved and painted wood, and the great shell mounds scattered throughout southwest Florida.
Merald Clark is a professional illustrator and anthropologist. He recently received his M.A. in anthropology from the University of Florida. Many of Merald's artistic reconstructions may be seen in the book New Words, Old Songs and in the video The Domain of the Calusa, now available from IAPS Books.
(Photo
by W. Marquardt.)