Archaeology

Mississippian Symbolism at the Ortona Archaeological Site

Ortona Sceptor Mound

Archaeologists at the Ortona site discovered earthworks resembling Maya scepters and a ceremonial pond, suggesting significant cultural exchange in the Caribbean Basin before European contact. The Scepter Mound and Pond, which date back to around 700 AD, indicate ritualistic practices possibly related to authority and baptism. The presence of similar ceremonial structures, like serpent mounds in Florida and Ohio, raises questions about their builders and the cultural ties between these regions. The findings at Ortona have largely been overlooked in academic discourse, warranting further investigation.

Fort Center Archaeological Site

An overhead view of the Fort Center Mortuary

Fort Center, a significant ceremonial complex in Glades County, Florida, represents the earliest known site of the Belle Glade Culture. Spanning approximately one mile long and half a mile wide, it features extensive earthworks, burial mounds, and an intricate mortuary complex. Archaeologist William Sears faced skepticism and ostracism for his interpretations, especially regarding the existence and analysis of maize pollen at the site, which some contemporaries dispute. Despite these challenges, recent research has corroborated aspects of Sears’ work, revealing the site’s complex agricultural and ceremonial significance.

Early Human’s Presence around Lake Okeechobee

An example of drowned timber or bone found underwater around Florida.

Anthropologists suggest that humans have inhabited southern Florida for over 12,000 years, benefitting from its mild climate and fertile resources. However, no Paleo-American artifacts have been found around Lake Okeechobee, likely buried beneath peat. During the Pleistocene, the region’s environment was significantly different, with much lower sea levels and a cooler climate. While artifacts from this era are abundant in other areas, such as Warm Mineral Springs, the evidence of early human presence near Lake Okeechobee remains largely undiscovered, potentially submerged underwater or hidden under sediment.

A Mysterious Young Lady Named Liube

At the Track Rock petroglyph site in Georgia, an inscription by a Jewish girl named Liube, dated 1715, highlights a rare historical presence of Jewish settlers in the Appalachian region. Carved during a perilous time for European settlers, this engraving is located far from the nearest English settlement, amidst violent conflicts between Native Americans and Europeans. The significance of the inscription, however, was overlooked in an archaeological report, which dismissed it as mere graffiti by Cherokee hunters, despite the area’s complex cultural history.

The Archaeological Evidence in Shenandoah Valley

The Seven Bends area of the Shenandoah River in Virginia has yielded numerous Native American artifacts, primarily from the Paleo-Indian, Archaic, Woodland, and Late Woodland periods. Notable sites include the Thunderbird Archaeological District, which offers evidence of Clovis Culture, and various mounds and earthworks in Shenandoah County. Significant finds, such as petroglyphs, human remains, and pottery styles, suggest a rich cultural heritage. Additionally, the Keyser Culture, which thrived until the late 1600s, has been identified through archaeological excavations across the region.

The Fort Loudon Skeletons

The Shenandoah Valley, located in northwestern Virginia, was a significant site during the French and Indian War. In 1755, Colonel George Washington proposed the construction of Fort Loudon to protect the frontier against Native American attacks. During its construction, a Native American cemetery was discovered, containing unusually large skeletons, some measuring seven feet tall, suggesting a population potentially taller than contemporary Europeans. This find, along with similar discoveries in the region, raises intriguing questions about the pre-European history of the Shenandoah Valley.