|
TALLAHASSEE ? The Florida Department of Environmental Protection?s (DEP)
Florida Park Service will host special events through the month of March in
recognition of Florida Archaeology Month. Coordinated by the Florida Department
of State and the Florida Anthropological Society, Florida Archaeology Month
encourages awareness and understanding of the state?s rich history and culture.
?Florida?s state park system contains many valuable archaeological sites that
preserve and interpret the culture and history of Florida,? said DEP?s Florida
Park Service Director Mike Bullock. ?I encourage citizens and visitors to learn
more by participating in archaeological programs this month in Florida?s state
parks.?
More than 1,500 sites within Florida?s state parks feature specially
preserved archeology that commemorates a time in history or preserves artifacts
from thousands of years ago. Some state parks specifically dedicated to
archaeological sites include
? San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve
State Park, Islamorada
? Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park,
Tallahassee
? Mound Key Archaeological State Park, Estero
Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park in Leon County features
Florida's tallest Native American ceremonial mound built between 1100 and 1800
years ago; it is 46 feet high. Crystal River Archaeological State Park in
Crystal River, a National Historic Landmark, is a 61 acre, pre-Columbian, Native
American site with burial mounds, temple/platform mounds often used for
ceremonies, a plaza area and a substantial midden ? ancient waste disposal site.
The six-mound complex is one of the longest continuously occupied sites in
Florida.
State park events for Florida Archaeology Month include:
Little Talbot Island State Park
Archaeology of the Talbot Islands
Saturday,
March 14, 1:00 p.m.
Join a park ranger for a look into the archeological
resources left behind by previous cultures. The program will take place at
pavilion one on Little Talbot Island. No reservations are necessary and the
program is free with regular park admission. For more information, call (904)
251-2320.
Constitution Convention Museum State Park
Archaeology Day
Saturday, March 21,
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
In partnership with the Florida Public Archaeology
Network, archaeologists from the University of West Florida will examine
artifacts, discuss the area?s archaeology and answer questions. Park entrance
fee will be waived to participants. For more information, call (850) 227-1327.
Faver-Dykes State Park
Native American Program
Saturday, March 21, 2:00 p.m.
to 3:30 p.m.
Participants will explore the park with an expert guide and enjoy
stories about the Timucuans and the important role the river, forest and ocean
played in their everyday lives. The program will showcase a 1500s Timucuan Camp,
complete with living history, food, clothing and shelter. This program is
included in regular park entrance fee of $3.00 per vehicle and will take place
in the picnic area. For more information, call (386) 446-6783.
Myakka River State Park
Red, Black and Seminole
Saturday, March 28, 7:00 p.m.
Hosted by the Friends of Myakka River and the Florida Humanities Council, this
program will be presented by Dr. Andrew Frank of Florida State University. Dr.
Frank will share the story of a deep and historically rich Florida path where
two unique cultures converge, how African Americans and the Seminole Indians
forged a community for a common cause. Park entrance fees are waived for
participants. For more information, call (941) 373-7839.
For more information about Florida State Parks, visit
www.floridastateparks.org. For
more information about Florida Archaeology Month, visit
http://www.flheritage.com/archaeology/month/.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recently launched
Rediscover Florida: 100 Days in Ways? a campaign highlighting 100 different ways
to experience Florida in 100 days. The campaign aims to increase awareness of
all the activities Florida?s public lands offer ? from the traditional (hiking,
biking, camping) to the unique (festivals, historic reenactments and museums).
Opportunities extend beyond the state?s 160 state parks ? there are also eight
state trails, three National Estuarine Research Reserves, plus many aquatic
preserves and education centers. With all of these options, opportunities for
fun and educational recreation are vast, affordable and close to home.
Visitors to the Rediscover Florida Web site can explore an interactive list
of 100 activities and track how many of the activities they complete. To view
the Web site visit www.dep.state.fl.us
and click Rediscover Florida. |
2012 State of Florida