Landscapes of maritime complexity : prehistoric shell work sites of the Ten Thousand Islands, Florida
The Ten Thousand Islands (TTI) region of southwest Florida contains extensive prehistoric shell middens and mounds called shell works. Though shell work sites comprise some of the largest and most complicated prehistoric shell constructions in the world, prior to this study, none had been thoroughly examined in their spatial, temporal and functional contexts, and shell work sites remain very poorly understood. This thesis aims to define the archaeological characteristics of shell work sites within the TTI region, including their spatial patterns, function, geographic extent, and temporal affiliation. Though shell work sites are complex, complicated sites that are analogous to palimpsests, I argue that shell work sites are more than just large shell midden accumulations, amalgamations of shell mounds, or assemblages of features; they are distinct, socially constructed prehistoric landscapes. In order to understand these complex histories, I contend that they need to be examined on several complementary temporal and spatial scales, and I incorporate a multi-scalar landscape approach. This includes examining shell work sites as individually constructed features and sites, as human centered social landscapes,
Schwadron, Margo
Landscapes of maritime complexity : prehistoric shell work sites of the Ten Thousand Islands, Florida. The Ten Thousand Islands (TTI) region of southwest Florida contains extensive prehistoric shell middens and mounds called shell works. Though shell work sites comprise some of the largest and most complicated prehistoric shell constructions in the world, prior to this study, none had been thoroughly examined in their spatial, temporal and functional contexts, and shell work sites remain very poorly understood. This thesis aims to define the archaeological characteristics of shell work sites within the TTI region, including their spatial patterns, function, geographic extent, and temporal affiliation. Though shell work sites are complex, complicated sites that are analogous to palimpsests, I argue that shell work sites are more than just large shell midden accumulations, amalgamations of shell mounds, or assemblages of features; they are distinct, socially constructed prehistoric landscapes. In order to understand these complex histories, I contend that they need to be examined on several complementary temporal and spatial scales, and I incorporate a multi-scalar landscape approach. This includes examining shell work sites as individually constructed features and sites, as human centered social landscapes,
landscapes maritime complexity prehistoric shell work site florida region southwest florida contain extensive prehistoric shell_midden mound call shell work though shell work site comprise large complicate prehistoric shell construction world prior study none thoroughly examine_spatial temporal functional context shell work site remain_poorly understood aim define archaeological characteristic shell work site within region include spatial_pattern function geographic extent temporal affiliation though shell work sit complex complicate site analogous palimpsest argue shell work sit large shell_midden accumulation amalgamation shell_mound assemblages feature distinct socially_construct prehistoric_landscape order complex history contend need examine several complementary temporal_spatial scale incorporate multi_scalar landscape approach include examine shell work sit individually construct feature site human center social landscape