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The History of Florida Archaeology, Part ONE

Unearth a Story this Summer with PBNHM

Join the us for a lecture with the Palm Beach Natural History Museum

The History of Florida Archaeology, Part One: Shadows and Spirits of the Past
Who were the first Floridians, where did they come from, what civilizations did they build here, and what was their eventual fate? This lecture will present their story, beginning over ten thousand years ago at the end of the last Ice Age. These people were the paleo-indians, who lived side by side with, and hunted, mammoths, giant sloths, and saber-toothed cats. These hunter-gatherers eventually settled into permanent villages, built temples and burial mounds, and acquired agriculture. These changes lead to the development of higher social organizations including chiefdoms, military, and religious leaders, and culminated in the rise of a number of regional cultures. These regional cultures each had their own unique life ways and distinctive artifacts. These artifacts and the key sites associated with each of these regional cultures will be discussed in this presentation.

The History of Florida Archaeology, Part 2: Uncovering the Past - Florida’s Pioneer Archaeologists
Who is who in Florida archaeology and how did it all begin? This lecture will present the history of archaeology in Florida from its earliest pioneers to recent times. Key sites and the personalities associated with them will be discussed as well as the development of archaeological methods and techniques. Included will be the foundation of statewide organizations such as the Florida Anthropological Society, The Florida Public Archaeology Network, and the Division of Historical Resources.

Conquistadores, Missionaries, and the Lost Tribes of Florida
When Ponce de Leon first arrived in Florida in 1513 the Native American population exceeded 350,000 people which were organized into a number of powerful tribes. During the next two and half centuries additional expeditions came and established permanent European settlements. They also brought disease, conflict, and missionaries to spread their religious beliefs. By the late 1700s Florida’s first people were reduced to a scattered handful and their tribes, life-ways, and cultures had ceased to exist. This is their story.

Megalodon-Miocene Marine Macropredator
20 million years ago the world’s oceans were ruled by the largest shark to have ever lived, Megalodon. This marine apex predator stood at the top of the food chain; but did this giant hunt, survive, and ultimately cause it to fade into extinction?

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