Lake Okeechobee Archaeological Discovery
Jun. 6th, 2007 12:40 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anam_moonWEST PALM BEACH, Fla., June 5 The drought in southern Florida has led to a major archaeological find on the bottom of Lake Okeechobee -- pieces of pottery, conch jewelry and human bone.
Researchers say the number of known-but-unexplored settlement sites on the lake bottom has increased from three to more than 20 during the drought. But there also are signs looters have been at work, leaving deep holes in the mud.
"I literally stay up at night wondering whether people are out on the lake looting it," Chris Davenport, the Palm Beach County archaeologist, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "As important as this find is, I almost would like to see the lake fill up because at least then these items will be protected again." Harvey Oyer, head of the Palm Beach County Historical Society, said the finds are especially important because the area's pre-historic residents left no written records or large stone buildings. While they had a sophisticated culture, most of its remains are in small scattered and hard-to-find sites.
Researchers say the number of known-but-unexplored settlement sites on the lake bottom has increased from three to more than 20 during the drought. But there also are signs looters have been at work, leaving deep holes in the mud.
"I literally stay up at night wondering whether people are out on the lake looting it," Chris Davenport, the Palm Beach County archaeologist, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "As important as this find is, I almost would like to see the lake fill up because at least then these items will be protected again." Harvey Oyer, head of the Palm Beach County Historical Society, said the finds are especially important because the area's pre-historic residents left no written records or large stone buildings. While they had a sophisticated culture, most of its remains are in small scattered and hard-to-find sites.
ocheechobee findings
Date: 2007-10-04 01:22 am (UTC)Re: ocheechobee findings
Date: 2007-10-04 06:59 am (UTC)