Hickory Ridge Cemetery Archeological Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hickory Ridge Cemetery Archeological Site
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pensacola, Florida |
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| NRHP reference No. | 00001131 |
| Added to NRHP | September 22, 2000 |
The Hickory Ridge Cemetery Archeological Site (also known as 8ES1280) is an important archeological site. It is located near Pensacola in Escambia County, Florida. This special place is found north of Big Lagoon and west of Pensacola. It was once a cemetery used by ancient people.
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Discovering Hickory Ridge Cemetery
Archeologists are like detectives who study the past. They learn about old cultures by digging up and examining things people left behind. The Hickory Ridge Cemetery site is one of these places. It helps us understand the lives of people who lived long ago in Florida.
What is an Archeological Site?
An archeological site is a place where people lived or did things in the past. It might be a village, a camp, or a burial ground. Archeologists carefully dig at these sites. They look for tools, pottery, bones, and other clues. These clues help them piece together history.
Finding the Past: Excavations and Discoveries
In the 1980s, archeologists started digging at the Hickory Ridge Cemetery site. They found many interesting things. They discovered burnt wood pieces near ancient burials. Scientists used a method called carbon dating on these wood pieces. This method helps figure out how old something is.
The carbon dating showed that the site was used around the year 1450. This was a very long time ago! Archeologists also studied pieces of pottery, called ceramics. The style of these ceramics gave them more clues.
The Mississippian and Pensacola Cultures
The pottery suggested that the site belonged to the Mississippian culture. This was a large and important Native American culture. It existed in the eastern United States from about 800 AD to 1600 AD. The Mississippian people were known for building large mounds.
Specifically, the site seemed to be part of the Pensacola culture. This was a group of people within the larger Mississippian culture. They lived in the area around Pensacola. The pottery found at Hickory Ridge fits into either the Late Bottle Creek Phase or Early Bear Point Phases of the Pensacola culture. These "phases" are like different time periods or styles within the culture.
A Village Nearby
The Hickory Ridge Cemetery was not just a burial ground. It was likely connected to a nearby village. Archeologists have identified this village as another site, known as 8ES1052. This means people lived close by and used the cemetery for their community.
Becoming a Historic Place
Because of its importance, the Hickory Ridge Cemetery Archeological Site was recognized nationally. On September 22, 2000, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of places in the U.S. that are important to history. Being on this list helps protect the site. It ensures that future generations can learn from it.
