This area is very lush and a great spot for native cultures to live. The gulf was very rich and the estuary
teamed in shell fish. The land also had abundant game. The have dated human activity back 9,000 years.
Cultures also came and went. The mounds were from about 500 BC to 1500 AD and the technology of the
Indians increased as time went by. The trading was what amazed me. There was a whole network set up to
trade goods both North and South and East and West. The Indians were very resourceful. The life span
was about half of ours. Evidently they were not too warlike. The indigenous Indians died out due to disease
and slavery when the Europeans came.
Crystal River Archaeological State Park
Some pottery found in the mounds. Nancy in the background.
Indians have been in the area for about 9,000 years. Very interesting.
Model of the mound area prior to the Spanish arrival.
The early Indians had an unbelievable  trade network. They have
found stone tools and coper that came from the Lake Superior area.
Midden mound that was made of shell and refuse. It was used as
platform for living quarters.
Our first view of the largest temple mound used for religious ceremonies.
The ramp was used as fill dirt prior to the 1905 purchase and exploration.
Taken from atop the mound.
This mound is two tiered and about 1000 sites are on the higher level with
more ornate items buried. About 1500 plainer graves on the lower area.
More of the main burial complex.
The Stele are stones that align with the stars. This one is said to have had a Indian's face
in it. We couldn't see it.