Archaeologists have identified a variety of prehistoric architectural works, commonly known as “Indian mounds,” in Volusia County, Florida. The area borders one of the most diverse collections of prehistoric burial mound sites in the United States, making the region a unique archaeological site that gives us a glimpse into the Florida of the past. The mounds of the area display some of the highest shell mounds in North America as well as some of the oldest burial mounds in the Southeastern United States.
Typically the mounds are made up of earthen mounds either decorated with shells or made entirely from shells. Each mound is unique as no two ancient monuments were built exactly the same. Across the nation, the creations of these prehistoric works vary in meaning and layout from one to another.
In many areas, the mounds are made up earthen embankments in the form of elaborate serpent mounds in the Midwest or as animal-shaped mounds as found in the Mississippi River Valley region. The shape and composition tells archaeologists much about their use, culture and religion of the native peoples that created them hundreds and in some cases, thousands of years ago.
ORMOND BURIAL MOUND
In the city of Ormond Beach, the Ormond Mound is regarded as one of the best preserved and most intact burial mounds in eastern Florida. The site is home to over 100 individual burials that were mostly interred after 800 AD, during the St. John’s period. A charnel house was also discovered at the site where the bodies of elite members of the society were stored and ritualistically prepared for burial inside the mound.
The dead would be laid out on wooden racks until fully decomposed. The high priest would then carefully remove the flesh from the bones as they decayed. The cleaned, dried bones would then be disarticulated, wrapped and then buried in mounds during special ceremonies. This method accounts for the many skeletons found in burial mounds.
GREEN MOUND
In the city of Ponce Inlet one of the largest known shell mounds that has been discovered. Estimated to stretch for approximately 50 feet, the peak was high enough to allow for a view of the Atlantic Ocean and the extensive estuaries which were of vital importance to the ancient people of the land. These areas also provided the abundance of oyster shells that were used to create the mound. The archaeological evidence shows that this site too was created after 800 AD. The mounds also revealed many overlapping floor layers made of clay, ash and sand. The presence of fire pits, post holes and accumulated debris suggest that the structures were used by the living at some point in their history as well.
SPRUCE CREEK MOUND
Located in the Spruce Creek State Park, the mounds found here is one of the most impressive prehistoric earthen mound works ever discovered in Florida.
The mound is positioned on an enormous bluff overlooking the Blackwater Stream. The ancient architects hauled up excavated earth from the base of the mound and deposited it on the top. It is extrapolated from the presence of status artifacts found with the burials that periodic capping additions would be added to the mound with the passing of a chief, high priest or related family.
Due to the considerable size of the mound and the depth and amount of borrow pits around the site, we know that a large amount of time went into the construction of the structure. A long ramp on the north side, leading form the banks of the creek not only aided in the construction of the mound, but also served as a ceremonial, social, and political center for the hundreds of late St. Johns people that inhabited the lower Spruce Creek basin.
The multitude of shellfish middens and the other discarded remains of ancient meals, line the basin for miles indicating that the prehistoric populations thrived in the Spruce Creek area due to the abundant supply of oysters, clams and saltwater fish. Historical records show that the site was in use during the 1500s when the Europeans first arrived in the area.
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