The Karst Spring Vent as Receptacle with Meaning: Chassahowitzka Headsprings Weeden Island Period Dolphin Fin Effigy

Summary

Restoration dredging of the Chassahowitzka Headsprings along the west coast of central Florida produced a wealth of artifacts representing virtually all culture periods including Paleoindian, Middle Archaic, early (Deptford) Woodland, late Woodland (Weeden Island), and Contact period Native American, as well as 16th through 20th century Euro-American (Historic) such as rare (broken) Majolica bowls and an asymmetrical paddle. All of the Euro-American artifacts can be attributed to secondary deposition (i.e. trash and accidental loss from small boats and shore). The same is not necessarily true for the Native American artifacts. Some of these items were likely thrown into the headsprings with intention and possibly supplication. These include a Suwannee Paleoindian point, an intact Pasco Plain ceramic vessel, a large plainware bowl (broken, but virtually whole), and a carved wooden dolphin fin effigy. This latter item (1270 +/- 30 BP [AD 690 – 770]) is illustrated and described, and its potential meaning is compared to other rare pre-contact wooden effigies found in Florida.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)   •
• The Archaeology, Art, and Iconography of Florida’s Watery Landscapes

Keywords

Spatial Coverage