IN BRIEF

Pineland Field Work, 1995

Jenna Wallace waits as Mitchell Hope takes a measurement at the Randell Mound test excavations at Pineland, February, 1995. To Jenna's right are Gloria Andrews and Cari Walz. (Photo by W. Marquardt.)

Jenna Wallace led a team of excavators in February and March in testing archaeological deposits at two places at the Pineland site complex. Jenna's excavations at the Randell and Old Mounds had two goals in mind. The first was to compare the remains from the Caloosahatchee IIA period (A.D. 500-800) at the Old Mound with deposits from the Caloosahatchee IIB period (A.D. 800-1200) at the Randell Mound. A second goal was to raise awareness of the importance of the Pineland site and begin to tell people about the future Randell Research Center at Pineland. Jenna will write a Master's thesis based on her research, analysis, and interpretation.

The fieldwork was completed successfully thanks to a dedicated volunteer crew of experienced Calusa Constituency members. It looks as though Jenna's excavations succeeded in obtaining information that will shed light on the activities at Pineland around A.D. 800-1200, a time that saw the abandonment of some substantial settlements in Charlotte Harbor (e.g., Useppa Island). Perhaps the most interesting artifact was discovered by Jim Anholt: an exquisitely carved bone ornament from Pineland's Randell Mound (see below.)

Carved bone ornament recovered in the 1995 excavations at Pineland. The fragment is about 1-3/4" long and represents a bird. It is about 1,000 years old. (Photo by FLMNH.)

Useppa and Pineland Books

Two multi-authored and illustrated books reporting the Florida Museum of Natural History's scientific research at Useppa and Pineland are in the works. The production of The Archaeology of Useppa Island and The Archaeology of Pineland: A Coastal Southwest Florida Village Complex is a long process involving the skills and talents of many people.

Work actually begins before excavation; the books are conceived during the writing of the research design. The design guides the fieldwork. Cleaning, cataloguing, analysis, and curation of artifacts follow the fieldwork in that order. Then the various analysts write first drafts of chapters reporting their results. Analysts/authors and the editors work with artists Merald Clark and Sue Ellen Hunter to produce appropriate illustrations.
Sue Ellen Hunter, artist, illustrator, and desk-top publishing operator, at work on the forthcoming Pineland monograph, October, 1995. (Photo by W. Marquardt.)
The first drafts are reviewed and edited by Bill Marquardt (Useppa) and Karen Walker and Bill Marquardt (Pineland). The authors then revise their chapters and submit second drafts. The chapters are edited again. Then Sue Ellen Hunter transforms them into a typeset two-column format, integrating all the associated illustrations and tables; this is called desk-top publishing (DTP). Sue Ellen uses Adobe Pagemaker (DTP software). The DTP version is proofread, polished, and finally sent back to the author for final approval. When this has been done for all chapters, the index is completed, and the book is ready to be sent to the printer.

Nine chapters are planned for the Useppa book. Of these, four are in the DTP stage and three are in the review stages. Sixteen chapters are planned for the Pineland book. Of these, three are in the DTP stage and seven are in the review stages.

National Landmark Nominations Move Ahead

Karen Walker has completed the first phase of this important project. In this phase, she authored a National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form (MPDF) for the Caloosahatchee Archaeological region (Lee and Charlotte Counties) and several individual site nominations. The MPDF contains general information about the Calusapeople, their predecessors, and the Cuban and Euro-Americans who followed; the archaeological remains of these cultures (sites, etc.) also are characterized.

The MPDF is designed to serve as a cover document. This means that anyone who wants to nominate a Lee or Charlotte County site to the National Register can do so with minimal research and paperwork work by consulting the MPDF and referring to it in the individual site nomination form.

Karen's ultimate goal is to nominate the Caloosahatchee Region sites as a group for National Landmark status. The National Register nomination is currently in the state review stage; it will go to the federal level of review in the winter of 1996. The Landmark process begins after the National Register nominations are approved; we look toward completion in the spring of 1996.

Bob Edic's Book Goes to Press

As this issue of Calusa News was being prepared, Bob Edic's book, Fisherfolk of Charlotte Harbor, Florida was receiving its finishing touches before being sent to the printer. The 192-page book is the story of several generations of net-fishing families in the Charlotte Harbor area, as told by those who know it best: the fishermen and fisherwomen themselves. Their words and photographs evoke an image of life in the days before power boats, monofilament line, and modern sport fishing. Sam Proctor, University of Florida Distinguished Service Professor of History, calls Bob's book "a fascinating and historically accurate account of one of Florida's oldest industries: fishing." The book sells for $19.95 and is now available.

Video Completed

Our half-hour video program was completed in 1995 and is now ready for sale. The Domain of the Calusa tells the story of the mysterious Calusa Indians, whose impressive earthworks, engineered canals, elaborate ceremonies, and intricate art were built on a foundation not of farming but of fishing. Viewers discover the Calusa from Spanish historical accounts, learn about Smithsonian anthropologist Frank Cushing's expedition to the famous Key Marco site 100 years ago, and witness the exciting archaeology at Calusa sites today.

Produced by Ilene Safron's Main Sail Video Productions of Fort Myers and funded by grants from the Southwest Florida Community Foundation and the Florida Department of State, the program was written and directed by Stuart Brown, with consultation from Bill Marquardt and Karen Walker. The Domain of the Calusa is narrated by Peter Thomas, who has narrated many of the Nova and Nature programs seen nationally on PBS.

The video sells for $19.95 and will make a wonderful gift for any person interested in the Indians and archaeology of Florida.

Florida Museum of Natural History is on the Internet

The FLMNH is on the Internet, and so is Calusa News. Those who reach our World Wide Web home page at http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu can learn about current FLMNH research, collections, staff, and publications. Those who scroll to the section on South Florida Collections will be welcomed by the familiar Year of the Indian poster image created by Kathleen and Jim Mazzotta. They will be able to access and download information on south Florida collections and ongoing research, read the latest issue of Calusa News, learn of future field projects and volunteer opportunities, and find information about the latest publications. See you in hyperspace!

Mound Key Project Completed

Florida Museum archaeologists have created the first comprehensive and accurate map of the Mound Key site. Thanks to a grant from the Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation to the Koreshan Unity Alliance and the volunteer assistance of over 100 people, Corbett Torrence and Sam Chapman were able to complete the map and even to do some preliminary surface collections and archaeological testing.

Mound Key has fascinated archaeologists and historians for decades. Many believe it is the very place where Pedro Menendez de Aviles, the governor of Spanish Florida, met Calusa king Carlos in 1566. Framed in forests of beautiful black and red mangrove trees, the shell mounds and ridges of Mound Key rise more than 30 feet above the waters of Estero Bay. A great central canal leading between the two main mounds is still clearly visible.

In addition to the site map, a technical report was prepared by Torrence, Chapman, and project director Bill Marquardt. A full-color brochure was designed and written by Claudine Payne, with art by Merald Clark and photography by Bill Marquardt. A free copy of the brochure may be obtained at the Koreshan State Historic Site, U.S. 41 and Corkscrew Road, near Estero.

Most of the site is protected as the Mound Key State Archaeological Site, but some parts of the island are privately owned. Interested persons may visit the island by boat, but must stay on the trails. Restrooms and drinking water are not available on the island, and pets must be kept on leashes. Those who wish to visit Mound Key but want to leave the (boat) driving to someone else are encouraged to call Estero Bay Boat Tours (941-992-2200) to go to Mound Key from Estero, or Calusa Coast Outfitters (941-332-0709) to go from Fort Myers Beach. Both are reputable companies whose owners are dedicated to historical and environmental preservation and education.

Three New Calusa Exhibits Open

Three brand new exhibits focused on the Calusa Indians are now open. The Children's Science Center, 2915 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral, opened its new exhibit on October 2, 1995. Dozens of artifacts help visitors explore Calusa art, weaponry, tool production, and rope and net manufacture. A replica of the famous Key Marco cat figurine discovered in 1896 is displayed in such a way that it can be viewed closely. Another feature is 3-D photos of artifacts from the collections of the Florida Museum in Gainesville. For more information, call 941-997-0012.

Another exciting Calusa exhibit opened in December, 1995 at the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium, 3450 Ortiz Ave., Fort Myers. Designed by Mark Appleby, the exhibit is a series of panels introducing the Calusa Indians and illustrating their technology. Visitors can try their hand at rope-, cord-, and basket-making; canoe making; and wild foods processing. To learn more about the exhibit, call 941-275-3435.

Finally, the Collier County Museum, located at the County Government Center at 3301 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, has a special exhibit in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of Frank Cushing's famous discoveries on Marco Island. The exhibit runs through the middle of 1996. Featured is the famous Key Marco cat figurine, on loan from the Smithsonian Institution. A number of other artifacts from Cushing's Key Marco dig have been loaned to the Collier County Museum by the Florida Museum of Natural History. For more on the Key Marco exhibit, call 941-774-8476.

Master Plan for Randell Center in the Works

U.F. Professor of Architecture Hershel Shepard examines the turn-of-the-century Smith homestead as U.F. graduate student Patty Rice (right, with recorder) takes notes and property owner Lawrence Massey looks on. (Photo by W. Marquardt.)

A master plan for the Randell Research Center at Pineland will be developed by a team of planners, environmentalists, archaeologists, historical architects, and educators. Herschel Shepard, a professor in UF's School of Architecture, will head the project. Patty Rice, George Luer, Bill Marquardt, Karen Walker, Diane Mills, Rick Joyce, Dick Workman, and others are helping write various sections of the plan. Once we get a first draft of the plan, we will share our ideas with the Pine Island community to get input and suggestions.

Advisory Board Meets in Bokeelia

An advisory board of 17 people has been formed to advise Project Director Bill Marquardt about the development of the Randell Research Center at Pineland and to help him with fund raising. The board met for the first time on June 20, 1995, in Bokeelia. Chair of the Steering Committee is Ray Stober, with members Rick Joyce, Barbara Sumwalt, and Karen Walker. Named head of the fund-raising committee was Anna Stober. Her committee includes Bud House, Gloria Sajgo, and Karen Walker. Arden Arrington will serve as Publicity Committee chair, assisted by Randy White. The committees are already at work planning activities and publicity for the fall and winter seasons. Volunteers are needed to help in all aspects of promoting and planning for the Center. To volunteer, or to find out about upcoming activities, please call Ray or Anna Stober at 941-283-8567.

Two New Exhibits Being Planned

Two new exhibits, one traveling, one permanent, are currently being planned at the Florida Museum of Natural History (FLMNH). With a $28,813 grant from the Florida Humanities Council, Bill Marquardt and Darcie MacMahon are planning a traveling exhibit focusing on the 6,000-year fishing tradition of Gulf coastal Florida. The 500 square foot exhibit aims to educate a Florida audience about Florida's coastal fishing heritage and provoke thinking about past and present challenges to people and their environment. The exhibit will incorporate a large scale model diorama, original artwork, photographs, artifacts, object reproductions, text panels, and video footage. The diorama will be a major focal point, and will provide a detailed view of Calusa fishing life, using sculpted scale figures and artifact reproductions set in a coastal estuary adjacent to a major Calusa site.

Exhibit coordinator Darcie MacMahon (right, pointing) asks exhibit consultnt Mary Johns about the details of chickee construction at the Brighton Reservation near Lake Okeechobee, August, 1995. Ms. Johns is one of four Native American consultants who are assisting Darcie and Bill Marquardt with exhibit planning. (Photo by W. Marquardt.)

Also in the planning stage is a permanent exhibit hall on the Calusa and their environment for the new FLMNH Education/Exhibition Center. A $45,000 planning grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities is paying for research, travel, detailed exhibit plans, script writing, consultants, and conservation assessments. This 6,000-square-foot exhibit will be the first on south Florida Indians and environments in the 78-year history of the FLMNH. Chief Curator Bill Marquardt is being assisted by museum professionals Kurt Auffenberg, Russell Bethea, Stacey Breheny, George Burgess, Betty Camp, Dorr Dennis, Michael Falck, Dana Griffin, Bill Keegan, John Koran, Bob Leavy, Darcie MacMahon, Susan Milbrath, Max Nickerson, Roger Portell, and Karen Walker.

As presently conceived, the exhibit opens with a boardwalk that takes the visitor into a life-size diorama of a southwest Florida estuary, with mangroves, sea grasses, birds, and other plant and animal life. Leaving the boardwalk, the visitor enters a richly detailed study center that explains the dynamism and importance of south Florida s ecological systems. The visitor next experiences a larger than life walk that is an underwater look at the tiny plants and animals that make up the fabulous environment of an estuary. The next gallery displays Gulf coastal Florida's fishing heritage, with explanations of Calusa technology and a detailed scale model of a Calusa village. Visitors then enter a thatched structure that takes them back to the time of the heyday of the Calusa, some 500 years ago. A room devoted to South Florida's Native American Legacy will display some of the most remarkable of the artifacts in the FLMNH's collections. Finally, the demise of the Calusa people is explained and the story of today's Seminole and Miccosukee people is told.

Planning for this major exhibit hall was completed in January, 1996. A major corporate or private sponsor is needed to make the exhibit a reality. Supplementary funding will be sought from state and federal sources.

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