In 1982, while constructing a road in Brevard County, Florida, for a new housing development known as Windover Farms, the backhoe operator saw what appeared to be several skulls in the bucket of his equipment. It has been said that this accidental unearthing of human remains near a pond has provided "unprecedented and dramatic" information about the early Archaic people in Florida.
The developers funded radiocarbon dating on two bones and changed the scope of their plans when results indicated the magnitude of the find -- 7,210 years and 7,320 years BP (archeological reference meaning 'before present.') The developers not only chose to preserve the pond but also donated $60,000 worth of pumping equipment for draining the pond.
In 1984, the state of Florida approved funding to excavate.
The Bog Bodies
The skeletal remains of 168 people were found buried and well-preserved in peat at the bottom of the lowered pond. The excavation was carried out under the direction of Glen Doran and David Dickel of Florida State University.
According to Jerald T. Milanich, an American anthropologist and archaeologist who specializes in Florida's Native American culture, the discoveries at Windover may be "one of the most significant archaeological sites ever excavated."
By 1987, the recognition and significance of the findings earned the site a designation as a National Historic Landmark.
The Windover Archeological Site, located on the central east coast of Florida in Brevard County, is a Middle Archaic (8,000 to 1,000 BC) archaeological site. The location is roughly midway between Titusville and Port St John.
What was thought to be nothing more than a muck pond yielded archeologic treasures. The peat at the bottom of the pond preserved the ancient bodies to the degree that brain tissue was recovered from 91 of the skulls.
The intact skulls were subjected to testing - X-ray, CT scans, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cell structures were analyzed under a microscope. Results indicate the bodies were buried in the peat within 24 to 48 hours after death.
The well-preserved brain tissue allowed researchers to sequence DNA that identified Asian origin, and a relatively rare haplogroup, X. Findings showed that one family used the burial site for more than a century.
Many of the bodies were undisturbed. Among the recovered were males and females ranging from infancy to roughly 60 years old. The average height for the males was 5 feet 9 inches.
The skeletal remains went through forensic studies. Many bones showed disease, healed wounds, and obvious effects from osteoporosis. Some causes of death may have stemmed from conflict as skull fractures were discovered. One man's pelvis had a spear made from a deer antler embedded in it.
Intriguing Facts
The bodies were buried in clusters and held down in the graves by sharpened stakes. Noted were five or six clustered episodes spread through a thousand years.
A complex weaving process was used to wrap the bodies for burial.
Archaeologists recovered artifacts with the bodies. They found 86 fabric pieces which included seven different textile weaves. The fabrics appeared to have been used for blankets, ponchos, bags, matting, and possibly clothing.
In addition, projectile points were recovered that were used for hunting animals and fish. Animal bones and shells found, indicated that the people ate white-tailed deer, raccoon, opossums, birds, fish, and shellfish.
The people gathered plants and used bottle gourds for storage -- the earliest evidence of vegetable container storage discovered in North America. Vessels of turtle shells may have been used for medicinal plants.
Even jewelry appeared. Three necklaces were around the neck of a young woman. One was made from fish vertebrae, another was fashioned from palm seeds, and the third was crafted with shells.
Know the Laws
The Windover Archaeological Site held a wealth of educational opportunities that will be studied for years. Discovering prehistoric burial practices, lifestyles, health, and migration is nothing short of amazing. As technology advances, so too will new avenues for research.
Within several years, Florida passed protection laws in response to the long history of stripping Native Americans of their material culture.
We generally suggest that you try to avoid removing and curating unmarked burials, especially those of likely Native Americans. If you are a NAGPRA reporting institution, you must comply with NAGPRA regulations for any remains or associated grave goods that you take into your possession (visit the National NAGPRA webpage for more information).
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