Crystal River Archaeological State Park facts for kids
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Crystal River Indian Mounds
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Temple mound
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Crystal River, Florida |
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| Area | 61 acres (250,000 m2) |
| Visitation | 21,000 |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000178 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | September 29, 1970 |
| Designated NHL | June 21, 1990 |
The Crystal River State Archaeological Site is a special place in Crystal River, Florida. It's a Florida State Park that covers about 61 acres (25 hectares). This park is located right on the Crystal River. It's also known as the Crystal River Indian Mounds. The United States government named it a National Historic Landmark in 1970. This means it's a very important historical site for the whole country.
Contents
Ancient History of the Mounds
This park has a group of six large mounds. Native American people lived here for a very long time. They used the site for about 1,600 years. This makes it one of the longest-used sites in Florida. People came from far away to bury their dead here. They also came to trade goods. Experts believe about 7,500 people visited the site each year.
Types of Mounds and Structures
The site includes different kinds of mounds. There are burial mounds where people were buried. There are also temple mounds or platform mounds. These were likely used for ceremonies. The site also has a large open area called a plaza. There's also a midden, which is a big pile of ancient trash.
Burial Practices and Trade
The oldest burials at the site are in a cone-shaped mound. They date back to about 250 BC. Some people buried here had special tools and jewelry made of copper. This copper came from the Ohio River area. It shows that these ancient people traded with others far away. Over time, burial customs changed. Later burials did not always include these copper items. This tells us that trading patterns also changed.
The Midden: A Look into Daily Life
For almost 1,900 years, people at Crystal River threw away their waste. This created huge middens. These piles of "trash" contain many clues. Scientists find bones from woodland animals, fish, and turtles. They also find broken pottery, tools, and arrowheads. The main midden is very long, wide, and deep. It's shaped like a crescent moon.
Ceremonial Mounds and Views
Two large platform mounds were probably used for important ceremonies. You can walk a paved trail that goes past each mound. Signs along the trail explain what each mound is. The biggest mound is called the Temple Mound. It has 55 steps leading to the top. From there, you can see a great view of the whole area. The park also has coastal marshland. It's a good place for bird watching.
The Mysterious Stone Slab
The park is also home to a unique limestone slab. It has a carved human face and body. This kind of carved stone, called a "stele," is unusual for this area. Similar stones are found in places like the Caribbean and Central America. The carving shows a person with long hair. This stone is now kept safe inside a metal cage.
Fun Things to Do
There are many fun activities at the park. You can go fishing in both salt and fresh water. It's a great spot for a picnic or for watching birds. You can also take a boat tour of the Crystal River.
Visitor Center and Museum
The park has a visitor center and museum. Inside, you can watch a video about the Native American tribes. They once lived in this area. The museum also displays many artifacts found at the site. These include arrowheads, pottery, jewelry, and tools made of stone and bone. A large model inside the museum shows what the site might have looked like long ago.
Park Hours
Florida State Parks are open every day of the year. They open at 8 a.m. and close at sundown. The museum has different hours. It is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Thursday through Monday. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
