iMAG History & Science Center to present ‘Foraging, Feasts and Monuments: Investigating the Monumental Shell Work Landscapes of the Ten Thousand Islands, Florida’
The Southwest Florida Archaeological Society will feature a presentation on “Foraging, Feasts and Monuments: Investigating the Monumental Shell Work Landscapes of the Ten Thousand Islands, Florida.” The presentation by Dr. Margo Schwadron will be held Wednesday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m., at the iMAG History & Science Center, 2000 Cranford Ave., Fort Myers. This is a free public program.
The Ten Thousand Islands contain some of the largest, most complex shell midden mound constructions in the world. Over 12 years ago, Dr. Schwadron began the very first investigation of these monumental sites, and over many years, through National Geographic grants, dissertation work and National Park Service supported fieldwork, she has completed numerous investigations and specialized studies throughout the region. This talk will provide an overview of the Archeology of Ten Thousand Islands Shell Works sites, presenting a settlement pattern overview of the types of sites, chronology, and patterns of shell work communities in the region. This presentation will feature many visuals that will help to visualize how these prehistoric fisher-hunter-gatherer communities constructed, altered, maintained and used meaningful community spaces, monuments and functional constructions through shell works over time.
Dr. Schwadron received her B.A. in anthropology from SUNY New York, Purchase; her M.A. in anthropology (specialization archaeology) from Florida State University, and her Ph.D. in archaeology and ancient history from the University of Leicester. She has been an archaeologist with the National Park Service since 1991 and has specialized in wetlands, islands, coastal archaeology and shell middens in the southeastern United States, the coastal St John’s region, south Florida and especially the Everglades and the 10,000 Islands.