Paleoenvironmental Data From Blackwater Bay, Santa Rosa County, Florida

Summary

     Environmental data collected near prehistoric archaeological sites along the Blackwater River and Bay Complex, Santa Rosa County Florida were used to create a paleoenvironmental reconstruction. Presented here are the methods employed, which include: remote sensing, vibracoring, the analysis of radon isotope tracers using a RAD7 detecting unit, and particle size distribution analysis (PSA) using a Malvern Mastersizer 3000.

     Identifying and documenting submarine groundwater discharge locations in brackish waters could add to models of settlement patterning since freshwater locales are known to have been frequented by prehistoric populations, namely Paleoindians. Groundwater discharge points located both offshore and inshore, parallel to the present Gulf of Mexico shoreline, are indeed known by local fishermen and informants. Although this study takes place outside of the karstic, peninsular region typically associated with Paleoindian settlements in Florida, it is hoped that it presents an opportunity to test existing settlement models, while adding to the existing rubric. 

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• The Contribution of Drowned Landscapes to Understanding Past Peoples   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2018

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology

Record Identifiers

PaperId(s): 865