For a long time, societies that relied on fishing, hunting and gathering were assumed to be less advanced, said Marquardt. //-->. Among most tribes in Florida for which there is documentation, the women wore skirts made of what was later called Spanish moss. Now, there is a lot of garbage and misinformation on the Internet no matter what . They had the highest population density of South Florida; estimates of total population at the time of European contact range from 10,000 to several times that, but these are speculative. When the chief formally received Menndez in his house, the chief sat on a raised seat surrounded by 500 of his principal men, while his sister-wife sat on another raised seat surrounded by 500 women. The research team uncovered a network of post holes and foundation trenches that indicate a large structure measuring about 80 feet long and 65 feet wide covered the summit of the islands highest hill. By the early 19th century, Anglo-Americans in the area used the term Calusa for the people. Their immune systems lacked antibodies to fight off European diseases. Carlos was succeeded by his cousin (and brother-in-law) Felipe, who was in turn succeeded by another cousin of Carlos, Pedro. The Calusa battle Spain over conversion. The watercolors illustrate the blue, black, gray, and brownish-red pigments found on many of the wooden specimens. Archaeological techniques were not very well defined in Cushings day, and though he took detailed notes of his findings, information on the stratigraphy of the site was not recorded. Thegoal of Ancient Origins is to highlight recent archaeological discoveries, peer-reviewed academic research and evidence, as well as offering alternative viewpoints and explanations of science, archaeology, mythology, religion and history around the globe. Study guides. They also cored sediments on and off the island to help describe and date environmental changes during the sites occupation. 4-8). At some point of time in their history, this tribe discovered that there was a wealth of fish in the waters, and began to exploit this resource. In the wake of conflict and European-borne disease, the Calusa were extinguished by the second half of the 18th century. Previous indigenous cultures had lived in the area for thousands of years. The Beast with an insatiable Hunger for Human Flesh, Film Footage Provides Intimate View of HMS Gloucester Shipwreck, Top 8 Legendary Parties - Iconic Celebrations in Ancient History, The Spanish Inquisition: The Truth Behind the Black Legend (Part II), The Spanish Inquisition: The Truth behind the Dark Legend (Part I), Bloodthirsty Buddhists: The Sohei Warrior Monks of Feudal Japan, Caesars Savage Human Skewers Unearthed In German Fort, The Red Taj Mahal and the Dutch Hessings of India. The Calusa people were an important tribe of Florida. Or, were the Romans protecting something even more valuable than silver? According to the documents, the brushwood and lumber fort encompassed some 36 structures. Penn Museum, 1991 Web. (*) denotes earlier century Calusa language records. The Tribes' sovereignty was once again recognized and funding was restored for education, housing and health programs. So, we needed information on large-scale architecture, the timing and tempo of shell midden mound formation and the timing of large-scale public architecture., Florida Museum illustration by Merald Clark. The priests wore carved masks, which were at other times hung on the walls inside a temple. Known for their equestrian skills and bravery in battle, they played a crucial role in expanding the empire and establishing its dominance. Mound Key was thought to be the seat of the powerful Calusa kingdom, and recent archaeological research there has confirmed it was in fact the capital and also revealed the extent of ancient landscape alteration, monumental construction and engineering ingenuity that allowed the Calusas population to grow to an estimated 20,000 without reliance on agriculture. Many Calusa are said to have been captured and sold as slaves. "Calusa".
The men wore deerskin breechcloths. They were one of the first tribes in South Florida and they settled near Biscayne Bay in the present-day Miami area. Large earthen mounds and ridges, accessed by canals, are believed to have been associated with Calusa ritual. Conversion would have destroyed the source of their authority and legitimacy. Engineering the courts required an intimate understanding of daily and seasonal tides, hydrology and the biology of various fish species, said Thompson. [14], The Calusa lived in large, communal houses which were two stories high. 9). On that trip, Juan and his mates are said to have been attacked by the Calusa Indians, a large and fearsome group of natives who made their living from the sea. Many of them are trying to do this on the Internet. At the time of the excavations Cushing did not know the name or precise age of the Indians whose world he had discovered. Although the Calusa came to an end, some remains of their achievements can still be seen today. [13][11] Artifacts of wood that have been found include bowls, ear ornaments, masks, plaques, "ornamental standards", and a finely carved deer head. 3). The first phase of work included the creation of a detailed topographic map of the island using LiDAR, which gave archaeologists information about its structures and geography. Known as the first shell collectors, the Calusa used shells as tools, utensils, building materials, vessels for domestic and ceremonial use and for personal adornment. Senquene succeeded his brother (name unknown), and was in turn succeeded by his son Carlos. They had a reputation from being a fierce, war-like people, especially among European explorers and smaller tribes. This language was distinct from the languages of the Apalachee, Timucua, Mayaca, and Ais people in central and northern Florida. Directly beneath the chief was the nobility. This article first appeared in the magazines fall 2020 issue. [15], The Calusa wore little clothing. Artist's conception of town chief at the Calusa town of Tampa (present day Pineland) (Art by Merald Clark.) Milanich, J. T. (2004). Each human had three souls, present in his shadow, his reflection in water and in the pupil of his eye. Upon learning that the Spaniards did not intend to provide food, clothing, and other gifts, the Calusa rebelled, tenaciously holding to their own beliefs and practices. The Calusa were descended from people who had lived in the area for at least 1,000 years prior to European contact, and possibly for much longer than that. The Tequesta (tuh-KES-tuh) were a small, peaceful, Native American tribe. The next day 80 "shielded" canoes attacked the Spanish ships, but the battle was inconclusive. Man in Peru Caught Out Drinking With an 800-year-old Mummy! Many smaller tribes were constantly watching for these marauding warriors. Little is known about Calusa religion. The drove back multiple conquistadors and had control of nearby tribes. [16], Ceremonial or otherwise artistic masks have been discovered and were previously described by the Spanish who first encountered the Calusa.
Although each tribe and region was different, the division of labor between men and women was generally similar across most of the Native American tribes. Their sophistication and fierceness enabled them to resist Spanish domination for some 200 years. Calusa ceremonies included processions of priests and singing women. Tamara Jager Stewart is the assistant editor of American Archaelogy and the Conservancys Southwest region projects director. Indeed, given the results of recent research, they are now considered one of the most politically complex groups of non-agriculturalists in the ancient world. The site of the excavation appears to be linked with Calusa ceremonialism and was one location at which wooden carvings, probably used in ritual, were housed. American Archaeology cover, featuring Florida Museum illustration by Merald Clark. The Calusa were one of the few tribes known to be shell collectors. The men wore their hair long.
The Calusa were a Native American tribe that lived hundreds of years ago on the island that is now Mound Key Archaeological State Park. Photograph by Amanda Roberts Thompson, courtesy Florida Museum of Natural History The Calusa also famously resisted colonization and conversion. In addition, elaborate rituals with synchronized singing and processions of masked priests were also carried out on that occasion. Before the arrival of Europeans in the Americas, Indigenous peoples who lived in the same region developed similar cultural traits based on their shared natural environment. This site is believed to have been the capital of the Calusa, as well as its military stronghold and ceremonial center. Miccosukee. It is recorded that in that year, the Calusa chief formed an alliance with the Spanish governor, Menndez de Avils. The Calusas as Shell Indians The Calusas are considered to be the first "shell collectors." Shells were discarded into huge heaps. Calusa Religion Birdseye View of Calusa The sun deity appears to have been a universal creator. Well-preserved nets, net floats, and hooks were found at Key Marco, in the territory of the neighboring Muspa tribe. Dominican missionaries reached the Calusa domain in 1549 but withdrew because of the hostility of the tribe. A Spanish expedition to ransom some captives held by the Calusa in 1680 was forced to turn back; neighboring tribes refused to guide the Spanish, for fear of retaliation by the Calusa. An analysis of faunal remains at one coastal habitation site, the Wightman site (on Sanibel Island), showed that more than 93 percent of the energy from animals in the diet came from fish and shellfish, less than 6 percent of the energy came from mammals, and less than 1 percent came from birds and reptiles. Fish bones and scales recovered from one of the watercourts indicate the Calusa were capturing schooling species such as mullet, pinfish and herring. Native American art,