Butcherpen Mound facts for kids
 Location in Florida
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| Location | Gulf Breeze, Florida, Santa Rosa County, Florida,  USA |
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| Region | Santa Rosa County, Florida |
| Coordinates | 30°21′58.21″N 87°9′16.06″W / 30.3661694°N 87.1544611°W |
| History | |
| Cultures | Weeden Island culture |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural details | Number of temples: |
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Butcherpen Mound
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| MPS | Archeological Properties of the Naval Live Oaks Reservation MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 98001165 |
| Added to NRHP | 28 September 1998 |
The Butcherpen Mound is an ancient site near Gulf Breeze, Florida, in the U.S. state of Florida. It is a special place where archaeologists study the past. This mound is linked to the Weeden Island culture, an old group of people who lived in this area.
Scientists used a method called radiocarbon dating to find out how old the site is. They found that the Butcherpen Mound dates back to around 1005 CE. This means it was built over 1,000 years ago! Because of its importance, the Butcherpen Mound was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 28, 1998. This list includes places in the United States that are important to history.
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What is Butcherpen Mound?
The Butcherpen Mound is an archaeological site. This means it's a place where people from the past left behind clues about their lives. Archaeologists dig carefully at these sites to find artifacts. These artifacts can be tools, pottery, or other items. They help us understand how ancient people lived.
The mound itself is a raised area of earth. It was built by people long ago. Mounds were often used for special purposes. They could be burial sites, places for ceremonies, or even foundations for important buildings.
Its Special Code
Every archaeological site has a special code. The Butcherpen Mound's code is 8SR29. This code helps archaeologists keep track of different sites. The "8" means Florida, "SR" stands for Santa Rosa County, Florida, and "29" means it was the 29th site recorded in that county.
The Weeden Island Culture
The Butcherpen Mound is connected to the Weeden Island culture. This was a group of Native American people who lived in parts of Florida and nearby states. They lived from about 300 CE to 1200 CE.
Life of the Weeden Island People
The Weeden Island people were known for their unique pottery. Their pots often had fancy designs and shapes. They also had special ways of burying their dead. Mounds like Butcherpen were important parts of their communities. These people were skilled at hunting, fishing, and gathering food from their environment. They lived in villages and had a complex society.
Why Butcherpen Mound is Important
The Butcherpen Mound helps us learn about the Weeden Island culture. It shows us where they lived and how they used the land. By studying sites like this, archaeologists can piece together the story of ancient people.
Being on the National Register of Historic Places means the site is protected. It is recognized as a valuable part of history. This helps make sure that future generations can also learn from these important places.
