Archaic Everglades

Since the beginning of the Everglades of Florida, there were people. For thousands of years, Archaic Period Floridians lived in the watery margins of land and water. These early Floridians used generations of knowledge to thrive. They shaped the landscape to their needs. Now, much of the Northern Everglades has been shaped to… Continue reading

Conquistadors and the Calusa: Reflections on Resistance

Archaeologists, historians, and literary scholars chronicle Ponce de León’s 1513 skirmishes with the Calusa in southwest Florida and the consequences to indigenous populations and Spanish in political, economic, religious, and biological terms. This symposium brought together lead scholars on south Florida’s ethnohistory and those studying collective history and representation in… Continue reading

Shadows and Reflections: Florida’s “Lost” People

Before Spanish explorers arrived 500 years ago, Florida was home to a variety of sophisticated and colorful native societies, including diverse groups such as the Calusa, Apalachee, Timucua, and Tequesta. In this film, artist Theodore Morris follows his quest to recreate on canvas the lives and spirits of these vanished… Continue reading

Article Archive: Dr. Robert Gore

From April 1999 to May 2003, Dr. Robert Gore penned a total of 38 original essays for the SWFAS Newsletter that were released in a serial manner. He weaves many archaeological strands into each essay and they both amuse and entertain while providing a thought, provoking teachable moment for the… Continue reading

Article Archive: JOHN BERIAULT

John graduated with a BA in History from the University of Miami in 1970. He has served as president of the Southwest Florida Archaeological Society, the Collier County Historical Society, the Naples Chapter of the Florida Plant Society, and the Florida Anthropological Society. John has received the William C. Lazarus… Continue reading

April 17, 2019: Middens in the Muck: Evidence of Late Archaic Tree Island Communities in the Northern Everglades

Presenter: William Locascio, Florida Gulf Coast University Location: Collier Museum at Government Center, 3331 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, 34112 Time: Program 7:00pm SUBJECT: Students from the Florida Gulf Coast University Anthropology Program excavated remains of a Late Archaic village near Belle Glade, FL over two seasons, producing evidence that communities… Continue reading

March 20, 2019: Down and Dirty: The Archaeology of Southeast Florida

Presenter: Christian Davenport, Historic Preservation Officer & Archaeologist, Palm Beach County Location: iMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Avenue, Fort Myers Time: Program 7:00pm SUBJECT: The interior of South Florida is the last black hole of archaeology research within the lower 48 states. Over a decade of research has… Continue reading

February 20, 2019: Onward and Upward: The History of the African-American Community in Fort Myers, Florida 1867-1969

Presenter: Mr. Jarrett Eady Location: iMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Avenue, Fort Myers Time: Program 7:00pm SUBJECT: Learn about the history and experiences of the African-American Community here in Ft. Myers, Florida from the post-Civil War period of 1867 to 1969. The emancipation of slavery after the Civil… Continue reading

January 16, 2019: The Making of Escampaba: The Kingdom of Carlos

Presenter: Theresa Schober Location: IMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Avenue, Fort Myers Time: Program 7:00pm SUBJECT: The first program of the new year is by local archaeologist and film maker Theresa Schober. Theresa will discuss the making of a soon to be released documentary focused on the Calusa… Continue reading