When Spaniards arrived in southwest Florida in the sixteenth century, they encountered a populous, sedentary, and politically complex society: the Calusa. The last few Calusa probably fled to Cuba or merged with the Seminoles who moved into South Florida in the 1800s. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there existcountless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts thathave yet to be discovered and explained. The archaeologists recovered seeds, wood, palm-fiber cordage that likely came from Calusa fishing nets and even fish scales from the waterlogged levels. A Spanish expedition to ransom some captives held by the Calusa in 1680 was forced to turn back; neighboring tribes refused to guide the Spanish, for fear of retaliation by the Calusa. Radiocarbon dating of organic materials associated with the watercourts indicates they were built between A.D. 1300 and 1400, toward the end of a second phase of construction on the kings house. [7], The Calusa diet at settlements along the coast and estuaries consisted primarily of fish, in particular pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides), pigfish (redmouth grunt), (Orthopristis chrysoptera) and hardhead catfish (Ariopsis felis). One of the most notable traditions of the Calusa was their use of shell mounds. Although the Calusa came to an end, some remains of their achievements can still be seen today. Some of these masks had moving parts that used pull strings and hinges so that a person could alter the look of a mask while wearing it. The Calusa kingdom had an estimated 20,000 people and ranks among the most politically complex groups of hunter-gatherers of the historic world. Marquardt quotes a statement from the 1570s that "the Bay of Carlos in the Indian language is called Escampaba, for the cacique of this town, who afterward called himself Carlos in devotion to the Emperor" (Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor). The Calusa tribe probably lived in Florida for several hundred years. Their estimated population in 1650 was 3,000 living in 50 villages. One of the causes of this was the raids conducted by rival tribes from Georgia and South Carolina. By the late 1700s, enemy tribe attacks reduced the strength of the proud Calusa tribe. So, we needed information on large-scale architecture, the timing and tempo of shell midden mound formation and the timing of large-scale public architecture., Florida Museum illustration by Merald Clark. Escampaba may be related to a place named Stapaba, which was identified in the area on an early 16th-century map. These Indians controlled most of south Florida. They arrived in seven vessels and climbed to the peak of Mound Key, a 30-foot-high, human-made island of shells and sand, to greet the king. By contrast, at an inland site, Platt Island, mammals (primarily deer) accounted for more than 60 percent of the energy from animal meat, while fish provided just under 20 percent. The Calusa was a powerful, complex society who lived on the shores of the southwest Florida coast. They determined that the enclosures, which were built on a foundation of oyster shells, walled off portions of the estuary, serving as traps and short-term holding pens for fish before they were eaten, smoked, or dried for later consumption. The team conducted a geophysical survey of both large mounds at the site, known as Mounds 1 and 2, and then they partially excavated the areas where ground-penetrating radar had indicated the locations of features and structures. The first Spanish explorers found that these Indians were not very friendly. This site is believed to have been the capital of the Calusa, as well as its military stronghold and ceremonial center. The Calusa king had the power of life and death over his subjects and was thought by them to be able to intercede with the spirits that sustained the environments bounty. Undecorated pottery belonging to the early Glades culture appeared in the region around 500 BC. Rituals were believed to link the Calusa to their spirit world ( Art by Merald Clark. This was made with clay containing spicules from freshwater sponges (Spongilla), and it first appeared inland in sites around Lake Okeechobee. The Calusa king Caalus, perched high on his throne in his grand house, watched as Pedro Menendez de Aviles, the first governor of La Florida, arrived with his entourage. ), Artists conception of town chief at the Calusa town of Tampa (present day Pineland) (Art by Merald Clark. The process of shaping the boat was achieved by burning the middle and subsequently chopping and removing the charred center, using robust shell tools. The Calusa resisted physical encroachment and spiritual conversion by the Spanish and their missionaries for almost 200 years. There was little change in the pottery tradition after this. They used these canoes to travel as far as Cuba. Fontaneda lived with various tribes in southern Florida for the next seventeen years before being found by the Menendez de Avils expedition. Marquardt and Victor Thompson of the University of Georgia are co-directing research at Mound Key, which has a complex arrangement of shell midden mounds, canals, watercourts and other features. The Calooshahatchee River, which means "River of the Calusa," was their main waterway. The Calusa may have been the only ancient people in North America who established a kingdom without practicing agriculture. (Art by Merald Clark. Tracking the Calusa: A Retrospective. The event will be held . ), Artists conception of Calusa people preparing for fishing in the estuary (Art by Merald Clark. Their sophistication and fierceness enabled them to resist Spanish domination for some 200 years. 150,000-Year-Old Pipes Baffle Scientists in China: Out of Place in Time? While a few Calusa individuals may have stayed behind and been absorbed into the Seminole, no documentation supports that. They were one of the first tribes in South Florida and they settled near Biscayne Bay in the present-day Miami area. The name Calusa is derived from a word in their language, kalusa, meaning fierce people. The Calusa were a very powerful tribe, dominating most of southern Florida until the arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century. Little is known about their trading practices, but it is believed that they traded extensively with other Native American tribes in the area, as well as with Europeans. They traded with other Native American tribes in Florida, as well as with people in Mexico and Central America. Historical documents indicate that by the mid-1700s, the dwindling Calusa population had fled to Cuba, or the Florida Keys. This now makes three southwest Florida sites with wet-site preservation of such items as wood, cordage and netting: the Pineland Site Complex, Key Marco and now Mound Key.. The Calusa men were tall and well built with long hair. The Calusa people were an important tribe of Florida. [2] The Tequesta tribe had only a few survivors by . Credit: Florida Museum of Natural History ). . When Spain ceded Florida to Great Britain in 1763, the last remnants of the tribes of South Florida went to Cuba. As Greek mythology goes, the universe was once a big soup of nothingness. (1993). A few hundred Calusa people survived and were assimilated into other Native American tribes. By 880, a complex society had developed with high population densities. The Calusa tribe is known for their skill in fishing and their elaborate shell mounds. Enemy Indian tribes from Georgia and South Carolina began raiding the Calusa territory. He struck an uneasy peace with their leader Caluus, or Carlos. They made tools and weapons of seashells and fish bones. Their art was heavily influenced by their environment, and many of their creations featured marine motifs. They used spears to catch eels and turtles. At the time of first European contact, the Caloosahatchee culture region formed the core of the Calusa domain. The Calusa Indians did not farm like the other Indian tribes in Florida. The Calusa Indians lived in Southwest Florida. The Calusa, who had no immunity against such illnesses, were wiped out in large numbers. An important tribe of Florida, formerly holding the southwest coast from about Tampa Bay to Cape Sable and Cape Florida, together with all the outlying keys, and extending inland to Lake Okeechobee. Furthermore, new diseases such as smallpox and measles were introduced into the area by European explorers. [24][25], In 1566 Pedro Menndez de Avils, founder of St. Augustine, made contact with the Calusa. The Calusa: "The Shell Indians" The Calusa (kah LOOS ah) lived on the sandy shores of the southwest coast of Florida. Exploring Florida: A Social Studies Resource for Students and Teachers Produced by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida 2002. They were experts in fishing, and they also grew crops and raised animals. The architectural remains of the kings house were relatively easy to find, but difficult to interpret at first, Marquardt said. [26], For more than a century after the Avils adventure, there was little contact between the Spanish and Calusa. The Calusa were also known to sail up and down the west coast salvaging the wealth from shipwrecks. Instead, they fished for food on the coast, bays, rivers, and waterways. [2], Paleo-Indians entered what is now Florida at least 12,000 years ago. Compiled by Kathy Alexander, updated April 2021. The Calusa knew of the Spanish before this landing, however, as they had taken in Native American refugees from the Spanish subjugation of Cuba. Senquene succeeded his brother (name unknown), and was in turn succeeded by his son Carlos. Although they lived in complex societies, little evidence of their existence remains today. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The Calusa also used spears, hooks, and throat gorges to catch fish. The shell mounds are an example of these remains. In a report from 1697, the Spanish noted 16 houses in the Calusa capital of Calos, which had 1,000 residents. Their immune systems lacked antibodies to fight off European diseases. The Calusa are said to have been a socially complex and politically powerful tribe, and most of southern Florida was controlled by them. Archaeologists have excavated many of these mounds to learn more about these . Radiocarbon dating of carbonized wood, a deer bone and a shell verified the forts mid-16th-century date. Its construction is made entirely of shells and clay. The plaques and other objects were often painted. Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda, a Spaniard held captive by the Calusa in the 16th century, recorded that Calusa meant "fierce people" in their language. When Pedro Menndez de Avils visited the capital in 1566, he described the chief's house as large enough to hold 2,000 without crowding, indicating it also served as the council house. The story of the Calusa during the Spanish occupation of La Florida is a complicated one, said Thompson. In 1954 a dugout canoe was found during excavation for a middle school in Marathon, Florida. Additionally, it has been pointed out that tribute was sent to this chief from other tribes in south Florida. Omissions? Artifacts such as shell tools, weapons, and ornaments are on display in many Florida history museums. These massive, rectangular structures built of shell and sediment enclose large areas on both sides of the mouth of Mound Keys great canal, a marine highway nearly 2,000 feet long and about 100 feet wide that bisects the island. Calusa political influence and control also extended over other tribes in southern Florida, including the Mayaimi around Lake Okeechobee, and the Tequesta and Jaega on the southeast coast of the peninsula. Where was the chief of the Calusa tribe? Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) EncyclopediaofFacts All Rights Reserved. What happened to these fierce sailing Indians? Well-preserved nets, net floats, and hooks were found at Key Marco, in the territory of the neighboring Muspa tribe. Mansa Musa, the ruler of the Mali Empire in the 14th century, is believed to be the wealthiest person in history, with a net worth of $400 billion in today's dollars. Excavation of the watercourts yielded artifacts like cordage that are not normally preserved at archaeological sites. The Calusa were a very advanced tribe. Widmer cites George Murdock's estimate that only some 20 percent of the Calusa diet consisted of wild plants that they gathered. [Online]Available at: http://www.sanibelhistory.org/calusa_history.htm. The Calusa were a very prosperous people. [8], Some authors have argued that the Calusa cultivated maize and Zamia integrifolia (coontie) for food. They used the shells for tools, utensils, jewelry, and ornaments for their shrines. The Spanish reported that the chief was expected to take his sister as one of his wives. 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We began with a basic set of questions, said Marquardt. Favored sites were likely occupied for multiple generations. One answer is found in the productive estuarine environment of the southwest Florida Gulf coast. Fontaneda was shipwrecked on the east coast of Florida, likely in the Florida Keys, about 1550, when he was thirteen years old. Hardwood forests covered the land and the climate was . The Calusa: "The Shell Indians" The Calusa (kah LOOS ah) lived on the sandy shores of the southwest coast of Florida. The Calusa made bone and shell gauges that they used in net weaving. Relying on aquatic resources, the Calusa developed into a powerful, tributary chiefdom prior to the arrival of the Spanish in the sixteenth century, and occasionally expanded their reign to include other southern Florida tribes. When the chief formally received Menndez in his house, the chief sat on a raised seat surrounded by 500 of his principal men, while his sister-wife sat on another raised seat surrounded by 500 women. Carlos, also known as Calos or King Calusa (died 1567), was king or paramount chief of the Calusa people of Southwest Florida from about 1556 until his death. In 1697 Franciscan missionaries established a mission to the Calusa but left after a few months.[27]. At some point of time in their history, this tribe discovered that there was a wealth of fish in the waters, and began to exploit this resource. They first encountered Europeans in 1513 when, with a fleet of 80 canoes, they boldly attacked Ponce de Len, who was about to land on their coast, and after an all-day fight compelled their enemy to withdraw. Corrections? Tabby was later used by the English in their American colonies and in Southern plantations. They had a complex religion that included rituals and ceremonies. They built many villages at the mouth of the Miami River and along the coastal islands. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The Calusa tribe was a Native American tribe that lived in what is now southern Florida. [29], Approximate Calusa core area (red) and political domain (blue). The Calusa are said to have been a socially complex and politically powerful tribe, and most of southern Florida was controlled by them. [13][11] Artifacts of wood that have been found include bowls, ear ornaments, masks, plaques, "ornamental standards", and a finely carved deer head.

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