Southwest Florida Archaeological Society – SWFAS was founded in 1980 to provide a meeting place for people interested in the southwest Florida area’s archaeology, history and cultural past.

PRESIDENT’S CORNER by John Furey, M.A., RPA

SHELLS, SHELLS, SHELLS: they are everywhere on archaeological sites here in southwest Florida since clams and oysters were a staple of the coastal Florida Native American diet. We know that they consumed vast quantities of them and, through time, built large shell rings and mounds to create an elevated place to stay above the high tides and storms that frequent this region. But, beyond their diet, what can these discarded shells tell us about the seasonality of their harvest
and food preparation cooking techniques to utilize them? Our two articles this month do just that.

MARCH is also Archaeology Month in Florida. Every March, statewide programs and events celebrating Florida Archaeology Month are designed to encourage Floridians and visitors to learn more about the archaeology and history of the state, and to preserve these important parts of Florida's rich cultural heritage. SWFAS has beautifully designed Archaeology Month posters to distribute. This year’s theme is African American Cemeteries in Florida. Events, activities, and
education materials are available at http://fpan.us/FAM/ .

Continue reading below . . .

The Society attracts speakers who are in the forefront of archaeological research. Programs include presentations by local authors, professors, experts, notables in archaeology and related fields, exploring the marvelous history of Southwest Florida. VIEW THE ARCHIVE OF PAST SPEAKERS

SWFAS is sad to announce that we have CANCELLED the following events due to close of the venues hosting them as a precaution regarding the Covid-19 pandemic:

Wednesday, March 18, 2020 presentation with Xenia Kyriakou on "The Bioarchaeology of Monasticism: The Unruly Nuns of Cyprus".
Field Trip to Koreshan State Park, Saturday, March 21, 2020.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020 presentation with Robert Carr on "The Prehistoric Calusa Canal in Naples"

RESCHEDULED FOR FALL! Stay Tuned for Details . . .

QUICK FACTS:

Hosted by Southwest Florida Archaeological Society (SWFAS)
Hotel and conference center is The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples.
Welcome Reception at the Marco Island Historical Museum that will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres and refreshments, and exclusive access to the museum’s galleries. Artifacts excavated from Key Marco by Frank Hamilton Cushing, on loan from the Smithsonian Institution and University of Pennsylvania Museum of Anthropology and Archaeology, are currently on display.
All day Saturday Vendors, Posters, and Presentations
Saturday night Awards Banquet with Keynote Speaker, Dr. Ryan J. Wheeler.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CONFERENCE