Florida’s Ancient Underwater Burial Site Much Older Than Previously Thought

Conny Waters - AncientPages.com - The ancient underwater burial site off the coast of Florida, near the Venice shoreline can reveal valuable information about people who lived in this region thousands of years ago.

The underwater cemetery was discovered in 2016 and researcher then said the site is most likely 7,000-year-old. However, according toa recent study Florida’s ancient underwater burial is much older than previously thought.

Archaeologists work the Manasota Key Offshore archaeological site that includes a prehistoric burial site from the Florida Archaic period, a time when the bodies of deceased individuals were interred with the pond. Credit: Manasota Key Offshore archaeological site

Scientists explain that the water level in the Gulf of Mexico was about 30 feet below compared to today. It's likely the pond at the time was on dry land about 9 feet above sea level.

It is believed ancestors of Florida's indigenous people laid their family members to rest at the site.

Investigating the underwater burial has been difficult out of respect for the individuals buried there and their living descendants.

It was previously assumed the burial site was roughly 7,000 years, but now scientists say the burial ground known as the Manasota Key Offshore archaeological site is about 8,000 years.

“We know that 8,000 years ago ... there was a small freshwater pond,” said Duggins, underwater archaeology supervisor, for the Bureau of Archaeological Research for the Florida Department of State. “And we know Florida’s indigenous people used that pond as a mortuary pond.”

Florida’s underwater burial site is great historical value because it’s the first example in North or South America of human remains being identified offshore.

According to the Herald Tribune, “John McCarthy, executive director of Historic Spanish Point and a frequent lecturer on the Manasota Key Offshore site, noted that underwater burials dating back to 10,000 years before current human occupation has been documented in Warm Mineral Springs and back to 12,000 years in Little Salt Springs.

See also:

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At Historic Spanish Point, one of the oldest shell midden burial sites in the state, burials date back to 5,000 years before current human occupation.

“So now, this Manasota Key Offshore nestles in at 7 to 8,000 years, right between a shell midden site which is on the current coast and these ancient sites,” added McCarthy, who is also part of a team assembled by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, at the request of the state, to assist in both protecting and learning from the site. “Sarasota County has just an amazing constellation of sites but the continuum over time is tremendous.”

At the request of both the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes, no images or video of human remains are displayed publicly. Also, no DNA testing has been performed to determine how the current Native Americans may be related to the prehistoric inhabitants.”

A carved wooden stake. Credit: Florida Department Of State

Underwater archaeologists have so far mapped about 2,500 square meters of sea floor. It is believed that human remains are scattered in an area about the size of half a football field.

Researchers have discovered not only human bodies, but also several ancient artifacts as well as corded fabric and wood.

The submerged wooden planks are a bit of mystery though. Divers came across a large plank with wavy carvings. Below that plank, they found three wooden pieces that resemble tongue depressors. The purpose of the wooden plank is currently unknown, and archaeologists have yet to find the end of it.

Studies made so far clearly show the underwater burial site was used by generation after generation.

Written by Conny Waters - AncientPages.com Staff Writer