Mount Elizabeth Archeological Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Mount Elizabeth Archeological Site
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Front view of Tuckahoe atop Mount Elizabeth
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1921 N.E. Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach, Florida |
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| Area | 39? acres |
| Built | unknown |
| NRHP reference No. | 02001011 |
| Added to NRHP | September 14, 2002 |
The Mount Elizabeth Archeological Site is a special place in Jensen Beach, Florida. It's also known by other names like Racey's Tuckahoe or the Mount Elizabeth Indian Mound. This site is a prehistoric midden, which is like an ancient trash pile made by people who lived there long ago. It's also an archaeological site, meaning it's a place where scientists study the past by digging up old objects.
You can find Mount Elizabeth in Martin County's Indian RiverSide Park. It's located near the Indian River Lagoon. Because of its importance, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 14, 2002. This means it's recognized as a very important historical place in the United States.
What is Mount Elizabeth?
Mount Elizabeth is mainly a large shell midden. Imagine a huge pile of shells, bones, and other things that ancient people threw away after eating or using them. Over hundreds or thousands of years, these piles grew very large. Archaeologists study these middens to learn about the daily lives, diets, and cultures of the people who lived there.
This site is important because it gives us clues about people who lived in Florida long before written history began. It helps us understand how they lived, what they ate, and how they used the land around the Indian River Lagoon.
A Look into the Past
The Mount Elizabeth site shows signs of human activity from a very long time ago. Archaeologists have found evidence that people lived here during different periods, including the Late Archaic and Orange III periods. These periods span thousands of years, from around 2500 BC to about 1000 AD.
- Late Archaic Period: This was a time when people lived by hunting, fishing, and gathering food. They often moved around to find resources.
- Orange III Period: During this time, people started to settle in one place for longer periods. They also began making pottery, which helps archaeologists understand their culture and how they lived.
The site was likely used as a village where people lived and as a place for religious activities. Today, it's part of a park, so people can visit and learn about its history.
Why is it Important?
Mount Elizabeth is important because it holds a lot of information about the past. By studying the shells, tools, and other items found here, archaeologists can piece together the story of ancient communities in Florida. It helps us understand:
- What kinds of food they ate, like shellfish from the lagoon.
- What tools they used for hunting, fishing, or daily tasks.
- How their way of life changed over thousands of years.
- Their beliefs and customs, especially if religious items are found.
The site is owned by the local government and is protected so that future generations can continue to learn from it.
