S11: Introduction to South Florida's Ancient History

Our state's history began long before the area was called Florida. When the last Ice Age ended about 12,000 years ago, the first humans began to move down the peninsula. They were hunter-gatherers who moved from place to place, searching for food and fresh water. At that time, Florida had little rainfall, so fresh water was difficult to find. In a world bereft of written records, their stories reside within the fragments they left behind — artifacts, villages, and campsites. By decoding these remnants, archaeologists can study Florida's ancient peoples and their ways of life.

Purpose: Learn about the ancient history of humans in Southwest Florida

Facilitator: Natalie De La Torre Salas (Guest Presenter – Florida Public Archaeology Network)