State Archaeological Investigation of Brickell Point (8DA12)
Report: Week 6, 11/15 through 11/19
Prepared by Ryan J. Wheeler, Archaeologist
Bureau of Archaeological Research, 11/19/99
This was our last full week of work and was spent bringing the state investigation
to completion. A total of four excavation units, placed next to one of the
fourteen septic tanks on the property, were completed. The area known as the "Valley
of the Holes" was expanded with the help of a backhoe, and additional
basins and cut holes were uncovered.
EXCAVATION AROUND SEPTIC TANK
Four units were excavated around the southern
end of the septic tank associated with Brickell Point apartment building No.
3. All excavations were completed this week. One by one meter units were placed
to the west and east of the septic tank, a 1 meter by 50 centimeter extension
was made to the unit west of the septic tank, and a 50 by 50 centimeter unit
was dug at the south end of the septic tank, to the west of the outflow pipe.
Part of one of these units was taken as a 50 by 50 cm column sample.
The units to the east and south of the tank encountered the trench dug for placement of the tank-this disturbance was very evident and is about 18 cm wider than the tank. Distinctive solution features give the limestone surface an irregular appearance. Lucine clam shells and the shells of several other mollusks were found in concentrations on the surface of the limestone-this feature was noted in other places across the property. Intact midden deposits ranging from 35 to 45 cm were excavated in this area before encountering the limestone. Several small cut holes were noted in the surface of the limestone, though no evidence of the large basins that form the Miami Circle feature were found.
"VALLEY OF THE HOLES"
This area was expanded to the west with a
backhoe, exposing a total of 25 square meters. At least 10 large, irregular
basins or depressions containing cut holes have been found in this area, and
over 50 cut holes have been examined. All of the basins and holes contained
intact midden deposits. Several interesting finds were reported last week
from this area, including a galena (lead sulfide) bead. Other finds this week
include a fragment of hematite (iron oxide), as well as the fragments of three
projectile points. The fragment of hematite is heavy, lustrous and silver
in color with some red tints. This mineral is not native to Florida, but is
found in the Great Lakes area. One of the points has been identified as a
Middle Archaic type, dating to 5,000 to 6,000 years ago, while the other is
a Hernando Point, dating to the Florida Transitional period, circa 2500 years
before present. Both points may have been obtained through exchange, and may
have been valuable items collected from older deposits. Detailed photographs
and plans are still being prepared of this area, and will be the focus of
the last few days of the project.
This represents the last report to be made from the field. The final few days of the project will be used to finish documentation in some areas and arrange for the transfer of the artifact and sample collections made during the course of the last five weeks.