They were known for their skill in battle, and they were able to successfully resist the Spanish and other European settlers who attempted to invade their territory. Tabby was later used by the English in their American colonies and in Southern plantations. Although they lived in complex societies, little evidence of their existence remains today. They were one of the first tribes in South Florida and they settled near Biscayne Bay in the present-day Miami area. The Calusa were a very successful tribe, and had a number of traditions that set them apart from other tribes in the area. Shell mounds are hills of discarded seashells, which the Calusa created by depositing the shells of marine creatures they had eaten. The Calusa strongly resisted two Spanish mission attemptsone in 1566 and another in 1697and persisted in many . The chief is said to have entertained the governor in a building so large that it could hold 2000 people in it. "Florida Indians of Past and Present", in Carson, Ruby Leach and, Goggin, John M., and William C. Sturtevant. Southeastern Archaeology, 33(1), 124. The Calusas were one of the few North American Indian tribes who were ruled by a hereditary king. The Caloosahatchee culture inhabited the Florida west coast from Estero Bay to Charlotte Harbor and inland about halfway to Lake Okeechobee, approximately covering what are now Charlotte and Lee counties. The "nobles" resisted conversion in part because their power and position were intimately tied to the belief system; they were intermediaries between the gods and the people. They built their homes on stilts and wove Palmetto leaves to fashion roofs, but they didn't construct any walls. What did the Calusa Indians do for a living? Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda, a Spaniard held captive by the Calusa in the 16th century, recorded that Calusa meant "fierce people" in their language. One answer is found in the productive estuarine environment of the southwest Florida Gulf coast. However, we can make some estimates based on what we know about their culture and the environment in which they lived. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The Calusa knew of the Spanish before this landing, however, as they had taken in Native American refugees from the Spanish subjugation of Cuba. They had a very rich culture, and they were known for their elaborate ceremonies and artwork. (1964). One of the most popular Native American sports was lacrosse. The Calusa men were tall and well built with long hair. An analysis of faunal remains at one coastal habitation site, the Wightman site (on Sanibel Island), showed that more than 93 percent of the energy from animals in the diet came from fish and shellfish, less than 6 percent of the energy came from mammals, and less than 1 percent came from birds and reptiles. . While thousands of Calusa people were enslaved, about 270 people, including Calusa nobles, escaped to the Keys where, after the last raid by the Creeks on May 17, 1760, the surviving 60-70 Calusa . The Calusa were a very spiritual people, and believed in a number of supernatural beings. The Tequesta (tuh-KES-tuh) were a small, peaceful, Native American tribe. Other tribes farmed the land in their territories, but the Calusa tribe fished along coastal waters. By the late 1700s, enemy tribe attacks reduced the strength of the proud Calusa tribe. When Pedro Menndez de Avils visited in 1566, the Calusa served only fish and oysters to the Spanish. They also hunted deer, bear, and other animals. The Calusa were descended from people who had lived in the area for at least 1,000 years prior to European contact, and possibly for much longer than that. The Calusa are said to have been a socially complex and politically powerful tribe, and most of southern Florida was controlled by them. But our work over the past 35 years has shown the Calusa developed a politically complex society with sophisticated architecture, religion, a military, specialists, long-distance trade and social ranking all without being farmers.. Uniquely, it was powered by fishing, not farming. Later periods in the Caloosahatchee culture are defined in the archaeological record by the appearance of pottery from other traditions. "[6] In 1564, according to a Spanish source, the priest was the chief's father, and the military leader was his cousin. [5] A few leaders governed the tribe. Figuring out how to shore up the walls of wooden buildings using a very early kind of tabby architecture is impressive and represents creative thinking and ingenuity in an unfamiliar and challenging setting, said Marquardt. Tamara Jager Stewart is the assistant editor of American Archaelogy and the Conservancys Southwest region projects director. Furthermore, new diseases such as smallpox and measles were introduced into the area by European explorers. However, Spanish accounts suggest that the Calusa tribe were the dominant tribe of the region and operated a complex Chiefdom that was comprised of a number of village communities all organized . [29], Approximate Calusa core area (red) and political domain (blue). One example of a shell mound can be found at a site known as Mound Key at Estero Bay in Lee County. [4], Between 500 and 1000, the undecorated, sand-tempered pottery that had been common in the area was replaced by "Belle Glade Plain" pottery. The Calusa are said to have been a socially complex and politically powerful tribe, and most of southern Florida was controlled by them. Carlos was succeeded by his cousin (and brother-in-law) Felipe, who was in turn succeeded by another cousin of Carlos, Pedro. The fort is the only Spanish structure built atop a shell mound in Florida. Please try again in a few minutes. About this time, they numbered nearly 50 villages, from one of which the city of Tampa takes its name. Some of the "Spanish Indians" (often of mixed Spanish-Indian heritage) who worked at the fishing camps likely were descended from Calusa. By the year 1600, they were carrying on regular trade with Havana, Cuba. The Calusa were a Native American tribe that inhabited the southwest coast of Florida. With the tribe's diappearance, the canals fell into disrepair. 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. The Calusa (said to mean fierce people ) are a Native American tribe that once inhabited the southwestern coast of Florida. [2], Paleo-Indians entered what is now Florida at least 12,000 years ago. Marquardt, William H. (2004). They were fierce fighters and accomplished seamen, paddling their dugout canoes around the Florida coast. Their estimated population in 1650 was 3,000 living in 50 villages. As Cushing noted and as more recent studies have revealed, they dug extensive waterways or canals (sometimes as large as 4 feet deep, 20 feet wide, and 3 miles long) that crossed Key Marco and the rest of the region. By about 500 BC, the Archaic culture, which had been fairly uniform across Florida, began to devolve into more distinct regional cultures. The heir of the chief wore gold in an ornament on his forehead and beads on his legs. The Calusa Indians were originally called the "Calos" which means "Fierce People". The Calusa king initially allied himself with Menendez, hoping to gain an advantage over his rivals elsewhere in the Florida peninsula.. Environmentalists and conservation groups protect many of these remaining shell mounds. The Calusa were a very prosperous people. In 1517 Francisco Hernndez de Crdoba landed in southwest Florida on his return voyage from discovering the Yucatn. The Spanish documented four cases of known succession to the position of paramount chief, recording most names in Spanish form. Known as the first shell collectors, the Calusa used shells as tools, utensils, building materials, vessels for domestic and ceremonial use and for personal adornment. 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. They collected materials for accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating and sediment samples for archaeobotanical and zooarchaeological analysis. The Calusa also used spears, hooks, and throat gorges to catch fish. The Calusa were also known to sail up and down the west coast salvaging the wealth from shipwrecks. Native Americans The First Owners of America, Byways & Historic Trails Great Drives in America, Soldiers and Officers in American History. It is likely there are descendants of the Calusa living among the Native American people of Florida and in Cuba today., In terms of Mound Key, much more can be learned about the Spanish fort and mission, the relations between the Calusa and the Spaniards and the earlier, pre-contact occupations of the island, Marquardt said. They practiced human sacrifice of captives, scalped and dismembered their slain enemies, and were repeatedly accused of being cannibals. The Calusa were a Native American tribe that lived hundreds of years ago on the island that is now Mound Key Archaeological State Park. This site is believed to have been the capital of the Calusa, as well as its military stronghold and ceremonial center. But Widmer argues that the evidence for maize cultivation by the Calusa depends on the proposition that the Narvez and de Soto expeditions landed in Charlotte Harbor rather than Tampa Bay, which is now generally discounted. These deposits were carefully water-screened using a series of nested screens in order to capture even the finest organic materials. They built many villages at the mouth of the Miami River and along the coastal islands. . The men and boys of the tribe made nets from palm tree webbing to catch mullet, pinfish, pigfish, and catfish. The Calusa Indians did not farm like the other Indian tribes in Florida. No Zamia pollen has been found at any site associated with the Calusas, nor does Zamia grow in the wetlands that made up most of the Calusa environment. This change may have resulted from the people's migration from the interior to the coastal region, or may reflect trade and cultural influences. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. After A.D. 1000, the Calusa began to grow in size and complexity, wielding their military might, trading widely and collecting tribute along those trade routes that extended for hundreds of miles. Additionally, they had (as their name suggests) a fierce, war-like reputation. They traveled by dugout canoes, which were made from hollowed-out cypress logs approximately 15 feet long. 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. They developed a complex culture based on estuarine fisheries rather than agriculture. 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. Two centuries later, they were regarded as veritable pirates, plundering and killing without mercy the crews of all vessels, excepting the Spanish, so unfortunate as to be stranded in their neighborhood. They were a very innovative and prosperous tribe, and had a number of traditions that set them apart from other tribes in the area. Fontaneda was shipwrecked on the east coast of Florida, likely in the Florida Keys, about 1550, when he was thirteen years old. They built their homes and temples on mounds of earth, which they used to defend themselves against attack. From several firsthand accounts of south Florida Indians written by Europeans, it is apparent that the Calusa were socially complex and politically powerful. Escampaba may be related to a place named Stapaba, which was identified in the area on an early 16th-century map. Their art was heavily influenced by their environment, and many of their creations featured marine motifs. Photo source: Moving to Tampa, Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida, 2002. By interceding with these spirits, it was believed that the chief was ensuring that his people would be well-supplied by the land. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. One of the most notable traditions of the Calusa was their use of shell mounds. The Calusa tribe probably lived in Florida for several hundred years. The Calusa were also very warriors. The Calusa remained committed to their belief system despite Spanish attempts to convert them to Catholicism. Around A.D. 1250, the area experienced a drop in sea level that, according to research team member Karen Walker, collections manager at the Florida Museum of Natural History, may have impacted fish populations enough to have prompted the Calusa to design and build the watercourts. The Spanish founded a mission on Biscayne Bay in 1743 to serve survivors from several tribes, including the Calusa, who had gathered there and in the Florida Keys. One of the most notable traditions of the Calusa was their use of shell mounds. Archaeology, 57(5), 4650. 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 Calusa: A Stratified, Nonagricultural Society (With Notes on Sibling Marriage)." However, archeological digs on Sanibel Island and Useppa Island have revealed evidence that the Calusa did in fact consume wild plants such as cabbage palm, prickly pear, hog plum, acorns, wild papaya, and chili peppers. Field school students brush sand from a tabby wall that might be the outer wall of Fort San Antn de Carlos. Their main waterway was the Calooshahatchee River, which means River of the Calusa. The Calusa people were an important tribe of Florida. Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. 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. ( Public Domain ). Rounding a sharp point against the tide was very difficult. Among most tribes in Florida for which there is documentation, the women wore skirts made of what was later called Spanish moss. Water World. All available connections to the LC Catalog are currently in use. Senquene succeeded his brother (name unknown), and was in turn succeeded by his son Carlos. (Art by Merald Clark. Honestly, we have explored a very small sample of Mound Key and other nearby island sites., ln the next couple of years, Thompson added, Id like to return to Mound Key to look more closely at the fort and its structures to really delve into Calusa-Spanish interactions.. The best information about the Calusa comes from the Memoir of Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda, one of these survivors. [Online]Available at: http://www.calusalandtrust.org/who_were_the_calusa/who_were_the_calusa.htm, Ripley, K., 2016. After suffering decimation by disease, the tribe was destroyed by Creek and Yamasee raiders early in the 18th century. It is recorded that in that year, the Calusa chief formed an alliance with the Spanish governor, Menndez de Avils. The Calusa (said to mean fierce people) are a Native American tribe that once inhabited the southwestern coast of Florida. We know from our study of both historical and archaeological data that the Calusa and their neighbors raised no such staple crops. The Calusa kingdom was eventually devastated by European diseases as well as slave raids by enemy tribes. "Chapter 10. Menndez left a garrison of soldiers and a Jesuit mission, San Antn de Carlos, at the Calusa capital. The mission was closed after only a few months. Shell mounds can still be found today in many parts of southern Florida. They were experts in fishing, and they also grew crops and raised animals. ), Artists conception of Calusa people preparing for fishing in the estuary (Art by Merald Clark. Additionally, it has been suggested that the population of this tribe may have reached 50000 people at one point of time. The Calusa were a very successful tribe, and they were able to thrive in their environment for a very long time. "Calusa". Conversion would have destroyed the source of their authority and legitimacy. Calusa means "fierce people," and they were described as a fierce, war-like people. While a few Calusa individuals may have stayed behind and been absorbed into the Seminole, no documentation supports that. 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. Their sophistication and fierceness enabled them to resist Spanish domination for some 200 years. (*) denotes earlier century Calusa language records. Circumstantial evidence, primarily from Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda, suggests that all of the peoples of southern Florida and the Tampa Bay area, including the Tequesta, Mayaimi, and Tocobaga, as well as the Calusa, spoke dialects of a common language. ), Calusa beliefs included a trinity of governing spirits. The men were responsible for work away from the home, like hunting and raiding. Even at this early date, they were already noted among the tribes for the golden wealth which they had accumulated from the numerous Spanish wrecks cast away upon the Keys in the passage from the south. Well-preserved nets, net floats, and hooks were found at Key Marco, in the territory of the neighboring Muspa tribe. Many smaller tribes were constantly watching for these marauding warriors. One of the most important ceremonies was the Green Corn Dance, which was held to celebrate the harvest. The population of this tribe may have reached as many as 50,000 people. Could we find unequivocal architectural evidence that Mound Key was the Calusa capital town, as had long been suggested? Their use of shell mounds, artistry, and spirituality made them a unique and interesting people. 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. The event will be held . Hence, the Calusa are sometimes called the Shell People / Indians. Artifacts such as shell tools, weapons, and ornaments are on display in many Florida history museums. The next day, 80 "shielded" canoes attacked the Spanish ships, but the battle was inconclusive. Theirs was a complex society with trade routes spanning hundreds of. Re-entering the area in 1614, Spanish forces attacked the Calusa as part of a war between the Calusa and Spanish-allied tribes around Tampa Bay. Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda, an early chronicler of the Calusa, described "sorcerers in the shape of the devil, with some horns on their heads," who ran through the town yelling like animals for four months at a time. (1993). This language family includes languages spoken by Native American tribes in the Southeastern United States, including the Alabama, Coushatta, Koasati, and Mikasuki languages. They built canals and fish traps to help them catch fish. Their linguistic affiliation is not certain. The 2017 excavations were really exciting for a number of reasons, Thompson said. At Mound Key, the Spaniards used primitive tabby as a mortar to stabilize the posts in the walls of their wooden structures. This article was most recently revised and updated by. The other two souls left the body after death and entered into an animal. When Spaniards arrived in southwest Florida in the sixteenth century, they encountered a populous, sedentary, and politically complex society: the Calusa. A reconstruction of a Calusa home and terraces, on display at the Florida Museum of Natural History. The surviving members of the Calusa tribe either fled to Cuba or joined the Seminole Tribe. ), Calusa influence extended over most of south Florida in the sixteenth century, Artists conception of the Calusa kings house in 1566 (Art by Merald Clark. In reality, though, Calusa kings probably had to listen to the opinions of the village chiefs, who held local authority. The Calusa were a trading people. Calusa means "fierce people," and they Although the Calusa tribe was once extremely powerful (defeating the Spanish on numerous occasions) and technologically advanced (building canals . 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.. In a report from 1697, the Spanish noted 16 houses in the Calusa capital of Calos, which had 1,000 residents. The process of shaping the boat was achieved by burning the middle and subsequently chopping and removing the charred center, using robust shell tools. [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). ( Public Domain ), Featured image: Calusa people fishing. Many people lived in large villages with purpose-built earthwork mounds, such as those at Horr's Island. Their linguistic affiliation is not certain. The name Calusa is derived from a word in their language, kalusa, meaning fierce people. 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