Florida Native American Heritage Trail - (Page Cover2) Florida’s Native American heritage is based on a long and varied occupation of the state by indigeneous people. Over the past 12,000 years, Florida’s Native Americans have witnessed the effects of global environmental change, developed complex societies, were among the first to encounter Europeans, and defied the U.S. government’s attempt to remove them from their homeland. The origins of native cultures are marked by mounds, earthworks, middens, and other archaeological sites throughout the state. Names such as Miami, Pensacola, Okeechobee, Tallahassee and Caloosahatchee are reminders of the people who lived here first. Traditions practiced by native people living in Florida today ensure their cultural legacy will endure. The Florida Native American Heritage Trail presents and honors the past and present. Included are more than 100 destinations where visitors can experience the rich history and modern culture of Florida’s native people. This publication also provides an account of the 12,000-plus years of Native American presence and significance in Florida. Additionally, special interest topics and biographies of individuals important to Florida’s Native American heritage are presented throughout this publication.v Cover image courtesy of Sarasota County Natural Resources. Images in cover photo bar starting on front cover, left to right (unless otherwise noted, images courtesy of Florida Museum of Natural History, Gainesville): Weeden Island Plain 4-headed bowl, McKeithen site • Seminole basket weaver Mary Frances Johns • incised silver tablet • Carrabelle Punctated bowl (center of picture), Sweetwater Lake Midden Site • watercolor of a Calusa mask • ca. 9,000-7,000 year-old projectile points (courtesy of Polk County Historical Museum, Bartow); Back cover, left to right: portion of the Tocobaga exhibit at the South Florida Museum (courtesy of South Florida Museum, Bradenton) • wooden Calusa deer head • Calusa woman, ca. 1,350 years ago • Weeden Island Red effigy vessel, McKeithen Site • Weeden Island Zoned Red bird head, McKeithen Site.
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