Fish stored in the watercourts likely fed the workers who built the massive palace. Native Americans The First Owners of America, Byways & Historic Trails Great Drives in America, Soldiers and Officers in American History. The Calusa Indians. Tabby was later used by the English in their American colonies and in Southern plantations. They created a variety of crafts, including jewelry, masks, and canoes. The Calusa people's diet consisted mainly of fish and shellfish from the Gulf of Mexico and its many waterways. 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. Instead, they fished for food on the coast, bays, rivers, and waterways. Calusa political influence and control also extended over other tribes in southern Florida, including the Mayaimi around Lake Okeechobee, and the Tequesta and Jaega on the southeast coast of the peninsula. This tribe was the first one that the Spanish explorers wrote home about in 1513. They were fierce fighters and accomplished seamen, paddling their dugout canoes around the Florida coast. The first Spanish explorers found that these Indians were not very friendly. [7] The contemporary archeologists MacMahon and Marquardt suggest this statement may have been a misunderstanding of a requirement to marry a "clan-sister". The CalusaPeople of the Estuary. Many smaller tribes were constantly watching for these marauding warriors. (1964). Furthermore, new diseases such as smallpox and measles were introduced into the area by European explorers. Many Calusa are said to have been captured and sold as slaves. They had a large population and a prosperous economy. They built their homes on stilts and wove Palmetto leaves to fashion roofs, but they didn't construct any walls. Diseases would ravage their population and force . After each meal, these shells were put to good use as building material and tools. A Calusa alligator head carved out of wood, excavated at Key Marco in 1895, on display at the Florida Museum of Natural History. And to what extent does the occupational and architectural history speak to broader issues of Calusa complexity? The Calusa tribe died out in the late 1700s. [Online]Available at: http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/lessons/calusa/calusa1.htm, Florida Museum of Natural History, 2016. "Florida Indians of Past and Present", in Carson, Ruby Leach and, Goggin, John M., and William C. Sturtevant. During Menndez de Avils's visit in 1566, the chief's wife was described as wearing pearls, precious stones and gold beads around her neck. While thousands of Calusa people were enslaved, about 270 people, including Calusa nobles, escaped to the Keys where, after the last raid by the Creeks on May 17, 1760, the surviving 60-70 Calusa . Calusa, North American Indian tribe that inhabited the southwest coast of Florida from Tampa Bay to Cape Sable and Cape Florida, together with all the outlying keys. The Tequesta lived in the southeastern parts of present-day Florida. Unfortunately, we dont know exactly how long the Calusa tribe lived, because there is very little information about them. Florida Museum artifact photos by Jeff Gage. Florida's climate had reached current conditions and the sea had risen close to its present level by about 3000 BC. This use of marriages to secure alliances was demonstrated when Carlos offered his sister Antonia in marriage to the Spanish explorer Pedro Menndez de Avils in 1566. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there existcountless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts thathave yet to be discovered and explained. Cultivated gourds were used as net floats, and sinkers and net weights were made from mollusk shells. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. [8], The Calusa caught most of their fish with nets. Pottery distinct from the Glades tradition developed in the region around AD 500, marking the beginning of the Caloosahatchee culture. By 880, a complex society had developed with high population densities. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Although his primary interest is in the ancient civilizations of the Near East, he is also interested in other geographical regions, as well as other time periods. Read More. ), Artists conception of town chief at the Calusa town of Tampa (present day Pineland) (Art by Merald Clark. Milanich, J. T. (2004). The Calusa were a Native American people who inhabited what is now known as southwestern Florida. The plaques and other objects were often painted. Many smaller tribes were constantly watching for these marauding warriors. The 8th Annual Calusa Heritage Day, which will take place this weekend, will offer an assortment of activities for everyone to enjoy while learning about the Calusa Indians. By the early 1600s the Calusa returned to Mound Key and reestablished their capital. The Calusa used wooden dugout canoes to aid them in fishing and for transport. Most complex societies depend on one or more staple crops and on the ability to distribute a surplus. [29], Approximate Calusa core area (red) and political domain (blue). The archaeology of the Calusa is important worldwide in that it illustrates the development of very pronounced hierarchy, inequality, monumentality and large-scale infrastructure by hunter-gatherer-fisher societies, said Chris Rodning of Tulane University, who was not involved with this research. They also claimed authority over the tribes of the east coast, north to about Cape Canaveral. After suffering decimation by disease, the tribe was destroyed by Creek and Yamasee raiders early in the 18th century. They traded with other Native American tribes in Florida, as well as with people in Mexico and Central America. Menndez left a garrison of soldiers and a Jesuit mission, San Antn de Carlos, at the Calusa capital. With the tribe's diappearance, the canals fell into disrepair. Additionally, it has been pointed out that tribute was sent to this chief from other tribes in south Florida. Soon 20 war canoes attacked the Spanish, who drove off the Calusa, killing or capturing several of them. Historical documents indicate that by the mid-1700s, the dwindling Calusa population had fled to Cuba, or the Florida Keys. Unlike other Indian tribes, the Calusa did not make many pottery items. The Calusa are said to have been the descendants of Palaeo-Indians who inhabited Southwest Florida about 12000 years ago. 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. Although they lived in complex societies, little evidence of their existence remains today. Other tribes farmed the land in their territories, but the Calusa tribe fished along coastal waters. C enturies before countries such as the United Arab Emirates and China started building islands, the Calusa Indians living in southwest Florida were piling shells into massive heaps to construct their own water-bound towns.. One island in particular, Mound Key, was the capital of the Calusa kingdom when Spanish explorers first set foot in the area. By about 500 BC, the Archaic culture, which had been fairly uniform across Florida, began to devolve into more distinct regional cultures. Their linguistic affiliation is not certain. As Cushing noted and as more recent studies have revealed, they dug extensive waterways or canals (sometimes as large as 4 feet deep, 20 feet wide, and 3 miles long) that crossed Key Marco and the rest of the region. Tabby was an Old World concrete consisting of lime from burned shells mixed with sand, ash, water and broken shells. 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. People commonly occupied both fresh and saltwater wetlands. ), Recommended Books, Videos & Places to Visit. The Calusa: "The Shell Indians" The Calusa (kah LOOS ah) lived on the sandy shores of the southwest coast of Florida. Exploring Florida: A Social Studies Resource for Students and Teachers Produced by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida 2002. It has been proposed that as fishing was a less time-consuming means of obtaining food than hunting and gathering, the Calusa were able to devote more time to other pursuits, such as the establishment of a system of government. They built many villages at the mouth of the Miami River and along the coastal islands. The Macuahuitl was an ancient Aztec weapon that could be used by both shamans and warriors. This change may have resulted from the people's migration from the interior to the coastal region, or may reflect trade and cultural influences. Although the Calusa came to an end, some remains of their achievements can still be seen today. Archaeology, 57(5), 4650. The Carolinan colonists supplied firearms to the Creek and Yemasee, but the Calusa, who had isolated themselves from Europeans, had none. The other two souls left the body after death and entered into an animal. By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. Widmer cites George Murdock's estimate that only some 20 percent of the Calusa diet consisted of wild plants that they gathered. "For a long time, societies that relied on fishing, hunting and gathering were assumed to be less advanced," said Marquardt. These Indians controlled most of south Florida. The Calusa were also very warriors. The Calusa (said to mean fierce people ) are a Native American tribe that once inhabited the southwestern coast of Florida. No Zamia pollen has been found at any site associated with the Calusas, nor does Zamia grow in the wetlands that made up most of the Calusa environment. When Pedro Menndez de Avils visited the capital in 1566, he described the chief's house as large enough to hold 2,000 without crowding, indicating it also served as the council house. The Spanish departed and returned to Puerto Rico. According to the documents, the brushwood and lumber fort encompassed some 36 structures. Shell mounds are hills of discarded seashells, which the Calusa created by depositing the shells of marine creatures they had eaten. Marquardt, W. H. (2014). AtAncient Origins, we believe that one of the most important fields of knowledge we can pursue as human beings is our beginnings. ( Public Domain ), Featured image: Calusa people fishing. This article is good but it does not provide any data related to the status of the Calusa people at the first arrival of Spaniards in 1513 leaded by Juan Ponce de Leon, its "discoverer". Uniquely, it was powered by fishing, not farming. The fact that the Calusa were fishers, not farmers, created tension between them and the Spaniards, who arrived in Florida when the Calusa kingdom was at its zenith, Thompson said. In reality, though, Calusa kings probably had to listen to the opinions of the village chiefs, who held local authority. Excavation of the watercourts yielded artifacts like cordage that are not normally preserved at archaeological sites. The Calusa were a very advanced tribe. One of the most notable traditions of the Calusa was their use of shell mounds. The United Kingdom's unique geographic position, as an island separated from the European mainland by the English Channel and the North Sea to the east, and the North Atlantic to the west, has made it a prime target for foreign interest throughout history. [20][21], A few vocabulary examples from Granberry's work are listed below:[22]. What did the Calusa Indians do for a living? The team conducted a geophysical survey of both large mounds at the site, known as Mounds 1 and 2, and then they partially excavated the areas where ground-penetrating radar had indicated the locations of features and structures. . They also cored sediments on and off the island to help describe and date environmental changes during the sites occupation. In his second voyage, Ponce de Leon received a poisoned arrow that hounded his tight and he died in Cuba the same year in 1521.His decease is attributed to Calusa people. In addition, diseases such as smallpox and measles were brought into the area from the Spanish and French explorers and these diseases wiped out entire villages. The Calusa were also known to sail up and down the west coast salvaging the wealth from shipwrecks. The Calusa men were tall and well built with long hair. Could we find unequivocal architectural evidence that Mound Key was the Calusa capital town, as had long been suggested? The Calusa Indians did not farm like the other Indian tribes in Florida. The Calusa painted their bodies on a regular basis, but there was no report of tattooing among them. Directly beneath the chief was the nobility. But the Spanish not only refused to fight Caalus rivals, they also wanted to convert his people to Catholicism, which eventually led to conflict between the Spanish and the Calusa. The Calusa king Caalus, perched high on his throne in his grand house, watched as Pedro Menendez de Aviles, the first governor of La Florida, arrived with his entourage. By the early 19th century, Anglo-Americans in the area used the term Calusa for the people. In an effort to reconnect the community to the waterways, Calusa Waterkeeper, a nonprofit clean water advocacy group, is kicking off the inaugural The Big Calusa, a recreational, educational and cultural family friendly week long festival next week. Inside a great temple, they observed walls covered by carved and painted wooden masks. Figuring out how to shore up the walls of wooden buildings using a very early kind of tabby architecture is impressive and represents creative thinking and ingenuity in an unfamiliar and challenging setting, said Marquardt. The Calusa also made fish traps, weirs, and fish corrals from wood and cord. [15], The Calusa wore little clothing. A diorama of a Calusa chief in the Florida Museum of Natural History. One of the causes of this was the raids conducted by rival tribes from Georgia and South Carolina. Additionally, they had (as their name suggests) a fierce, war-like reputation. For me, the work has been absolutely fantastic and since we began it has been one discovery after another, said Thompson. They made a type of flatbread called tortillas, which they ate with their meals. One shell mound site is Mound Key at Estero Bay in Lee County. Researchers have previously hypothesized the watercourts were designed to hold fish, but this was the first attempt to study the structures systematically, including when they were built and how that timing correlates with other Calusa construction projects, Marquardt said. The king entertained the governor in a building so large that 2,000 people could stand inside. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. This site is believed to be the chief town of the Calusa, where the leader of the tribe, Chief Carlos lived. They were known for their skill in battle, and they were able to successfully resist the Spanish and other European settlers who attempted to invade their territory. Sadly, the Calusa Tribe was devastated by European diseases that were brought to their area. The Calusa (/klus/ k-LOO-s) were a Native American people of Florida's southwest coast. The ancestors of the Calusa are said to have survived by hunting prehistoric animals such as woolly mammoths and giant tortoises, and collecting fruits and other edible plants. These Indians were prodigious excavators who cut canals like the 'long cut' and 'short cut' at the south end of Pine Island. The Calusa (said to mean fierce people) are a Native American tribe that once inhabited the southwestern coast of Florida. Some of the "Spanish Indians" (often of mixed Spanish-Indian heritage) who worked at the fishing camps likely were descended from Calusa. When Spaniards arrived in southwest Florida in the sixteenth century, they encountered a populous, sedentary, and politically complex society: the Calusa. Later periods in the Caloosahatchee culture are defined in the archaeological record by the appearance of pottery from other traditions. One of the most popular Native American sports was lacrosse. The capital of the Calusa, and where the rulers administered from, was Mound Key, near present day Estero, Florida. Beginning roughly 2,000 years ago, the Calusa enjoyed centuries of dominance as the undisputed rulers of southwest Florida. Supported in part by a grant from National . The Calusa Indians lived in Southwest Florida. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. What formation processes resulted in the complex of mounds and other features there? [8], Some authors have argued that the Calusa cultivated maize and Zamia integrifolia (coontie) for food. The heir of the chief wore gold in an ornament on his forehead and beads on his legs. (2004). The Spanish left less description on what the Calusa women wore. The priests wore carved masks, which were at other times hung on the walls inside a temple. 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