The estuary system was vital to the Calusa and their ancestors, supporting mangrove and seagrass ecosystems. This environment provided the resources that allowed the Calusa to achieve significant power and success in South Florida.
This video explores the history and culture of the Calusa Indians in Southwest Florida, focusing on their settlement at Pineland and their reliance on the estuary system. It discusses archaeological methods used to understand their way of life, including the analysis of middens and artifacts, and recounts their eventual decline due to environmental changes, conflict, and enslavement.
| Topic | Tags |
|---|---|
| Calusa Indian History | Calusa, Native American history, Southwest Florida, Indigenous people, Pre-Columbian Florida |
| Archaeology of Florida | Archaeological sites, Middens, Shell mounds, Artifact analysis, Pineland, Randal Research Center |
| Estuary Ecosystems | Estuaries, Mangrove ecosystems, Seagrass beds, Salinity, Environmental history, Resource dependence |
| Calusa Culture and Society | Calusa towns, Societal structure, Daily life, Subsistence strategies, Cultural development |
| European Contact and Decline | Colonial conflicts, Slavery, Creek Indians, Yamasee people, Population decline, Cultural survival |
| Calusa Heritage Trail | Heritage tourism, Historical interpretation, Sense of place, Archaeological preservation |