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

MARCH 20, 2024 7:00PM PRESENTATION
Meeting Location: IMAG History and Science Center, Fort Myers

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A NATURAL DISASTER: HURRICANES AND HERITAGE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
HURRICANE DAMAGE TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES
Natalie De La Torre Salas, Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN)

Archaeologist will discuss understanding hurricanes and heritage in Southwest Florida. Whether you are from Florida, the Caribbean or any other part of the world, you have been taught about so-called natural disasters. First of all, what is a disaster and what makes them “natural”? In this talk, Ms. De La Torre Salas will take a look at the impact of Hurricane Ian on Southwest Florida’s archaeological and historical sites and the important role heritage has in the post-disaster recovery process.

Natalie De La Torre Salas is the public archaeology outreach coordinator for Florida Public Archaeology Network’s Southwest region. She is certified as a member of the Register of Professional Archaeologists (RPA), a member of the Latin American and Caribbean Network of Women for Disaster Risk Reduction (LAC) and a member of Randell Research Center’s Advisory Board. She earned her M.A. in Public Archaeology from University College London, UK, and her B.A. in Anthropology from University of Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras Campus, PR. Her research interests include disaster risk management of cultural heritage, public outreach, decolonial theory and digitization and dissemination of archaeological collections. One of her goals with FPAN is to develop programs and public outreach for Latinx communities in SWFL. She is also the founder and co-host of the podcast Ecos Patrimoniales which has become a one-of-a-kind online space for people from Latin America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean to share stories about topics related to cultural heritage, archaeology and lessons learned for reducing disaster risk of cultural heritage and communities.

FLORIDA ARCHAEOLOGY MONTH

Calusa Walk

The Southwest Florida Archaeological Society is offering a “Calusa Walk” on March 9 in Bonita Springs as part of Florida Archaeology Month and Calusa Coast 2024 events.  Total walk distance is about 1 mile and tour duration is 2 hours. Meet before 10:00 a.m. at the Liles Hotel in Riverside Park, 27300 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs, FL 34135.

Discussions feature Southwest Florida’s Native American history dating back over 8,000 years and first European contacts in our state. Learn about the archaeology of the first people to live in Bonita Springs. Hear stories of the mighty Calusa, who ruled all of Southwest Florida, including their contact with the Spanish starting in 1513. Learn about the Calusa’s capital on Mound Key in Estero Bay, Ponce De Leon, Pedro Menendez and Fort San Anton de Carlos in 1566. Learn about the end of the Calusa Empire and the origins of the Seminoles and Miccosukee.

See demonstrations of the technology the Calusa used to prosper: the atlatl, shell tool making, weaving, ceramics, and more. Walk through Depot Park over the Imperial River to Island Park and learn about our local environment and uses of native plants.

Afterwards, enjoy a picnic lunch or eat at one of the nearby restaurants (lunch not included). Also on March 9 in Riverside Park, there is the free Bonita Fest by the GOATs of Bonita from 11 - 4. You may stay and enjoy the food, music and vendors. More info at goatsofbonita.com.

The tour cost per person is $20 with advance reservation, or $25 the day of. The tour is guided by Arron Thomas of Calusa Ghost Tours and Charlie Strader of the Southwest Florida Archaeological Society.  Email info@goexploring.com, or call/ text 239-992-6133, to reserve and receive participant notes and details.

2024 SWFAS NEWSLETTERS

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