The Crystal River Heritage Council, a council of the Citrus County Historical Society, operates the museum with an all-volunteer staff. Ready your cameras for wildlife. From land, look for manatees at Crystal River State Archaeological Site, whose vantage atop a 28-foot native American mound overlooking the river is a worthy climb. Major attractions include the Crystal River State Archaeological Site, which protects significant indigenous structures, and the Eco-Walk Trail, which offers 11 interpretive stations providing family-oriented natural education. If the spring was full of dozens or even hundreds of manatees, as is the case during cold weather, the sight might be memorable enough to warrant the ticket. This began to change as the sea levels rose when the ice covering much of the northern continents began to melt. Books about Crystal Rivers prehistoric to modern history are also available here. The largest and highest platform at the Crystal River site, Temple Mound A, was built sometime after 600 AD. Crystal River Preserve State Park is adjacent to the archaeological park. (We were lucky enough to see a family of otters.) The driver may make informal comments, but doesnt givea tour. It is believed that 7,000 to 10,000 people would come to the Crystal River site each year. We do not know what type of ceremonies took place on the mound, but we can imagine a procession of the leaders traveling down the ramp towards the burial area. More mounds and artifacts illuminate ancient Florida cultures dating back to 500 B.C. It is estimated that about 1,200 to 1,500 people were buried in this complex. Crystal River, Florida 34428. REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING ABOUT THE POTTERY, ARCHAEOLOGY AND MORE: Thomas J. Pluckhahn, Rachel E. Thompson & Kassie Kemp (2017) Constructing community at civic-ceremonial centers: pottery-making practices at Crystal River and Roberts Island, Southeastern Archaeology, 36:2, 110-121, DOI: 10.1080/0734578X.2016.1252190 Link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/0734578X.2016.1252190. Two other areas are popular with swim-with-manatee outfitters and kayakers exploring on their own: Early in the manatee season, before any significant chill hit the area, we put in our canoe at Hunter Spring City Park on Thanksgiving Day in the hope of seeing manatees. This "midden material" contained various kinds of woodland animal bones, fish bones, turtle shells, broken pottery, broken hand tools and arrowheads. There are wire ropes on each side of the run to help, but people were really working hard and that was at low tide, when they could touch the bottom. Crystal River Archaeological State Park This ancient archaeological park is home to Native American burial mounds, abandoned temple and platform mounds, and so much more. When the stones were located in 1964, Bullen did small excavations around them to collect any evidence that might tell the story of how they were used. Because of kinships and marriage between members of different communities, pottery was often moved around in Florida. [4] Two large platform mounds are believed to have been used primarily for ceremonial purposes. [citation needed], The park is also home to a limestone slab, possibly a "stele", on which is a crudely carved human face and torso. The visitor center/museum features an open captioned video about the tribes that once lived in the area, and houses a collection of artifacts from the site, including arrowheads, pottery, jewelry, stone and bone tools. Copyright 2023 Florida Rambler Media. Heres more about Elvis in Yankeetown. Built in 1939, this old city hall currently houses a local history museum. When the bulldozer was taking the shell and sand, a small layer of charcoal was exposed. Even if you walk into the refuge, you must still pay this entrance fee. photos from the sources listed above, as well as publicly posted online sites with thanks to the contributors, Trail of Florida's Indian Heritage, Inc. | Site Design and Management by Runjik Productions, LISTEN TO AN EXPERT Among the best fishing excursions is offered by Florida Fishing Adventures, where youre assured big catches fast! 365 days a year This 80-acre wildlife refuge was established in 1983 to protect West Indian manatees. You can drive there with a handicapped sticker. This article is property of FloridaRambler.com, protected by U.S. WebCrystal River Tour with Manatee Swim and Everglades Airboat Ride 77 Airboat Tours from $148.99 per adult Manatee Snorkel Tour from American Pro Diving Center 79 from $57.21 per adult Crystal River Manatee Swim or Boat Ride from Orlando 22 Bus Tours from $98.99 per adult Swim and Snorkel with Manatees in a Guided Crystal River Tour 32 from $74.11 The base of the mound covered an area 200 feet long and 100 feet wide. Opened to the public in 1965, this historically significant example of mid-century modern architecture naturally leads the eye to the heavens, arousing feelings of wonder. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The City Hall was built in 1939 by WPA labor, the exterior is constructed of natural limestone quarried locally and interior ceilings are made from magnolia wood. Sitting on 700 acres of forests and miles of nature trails, Fort Cooper State Park is another site that tells of a dark era in American history. The ramp led from the top of the mound to a causeway that crossed a small lagoon towards the main burial area. Along the Gulf Coast, the Deptford Culture continued the seasonal existence throughout the Middle Woodland Period. Next image. Stone Points were utilized not only in hunting for game but also as weaponry in conflicts with other tribes. 3400 N. Museum Point The copper artifacts came from the Ohio River area through a trade network developed by the Hopewell culture that existed at the time. The park is located two miles (3 km) northwest of the city of Crystal River, on Museum Point off U.S. 19/98. This 61 acre National Historic Landmark is a six- mound Columbian complex with a burial site, temples and platforms situated on a costal marsh. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Dinner Bell Motel, 16000 W Fort Island TrailCrystal River, FL 34429(352) 527-7540. Atlatls were likely the weapon of choice at Crystal River, although the bow and arrow did make an appearance by around AD 200 or so. The height of the mound was about 30 feet above the midden it was built on. Always remember, it is illegal to collect artifacts on public land, so anything you find that resembles pottery shards, arrowheads, and the like will need to be put back where it was found. The people we chatted with were delighted because they came to see manatees and they succeeded. ), maps that show areas that are off-limits to boats, Friends of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge website. This name means that the clay was tempered with sand (sand was added for stability and durability) and it You'll find a variety of diving locations with clear waters and incredible views. Hafted Whelk Shell tools were used for chopping, wood cutting, scooping, and as decorative items. In 1960, much of the mound was used for road fill by a previous land owner. Ceremonial shell dippers were sacred objects to the Indians and sometimes placed in their graves. WebTop ways to experience Crystal River Archaeological State Park and nearby attractions Crystal River Inshore Fishing Charter Adventure Tours from $486.87 per group (up to 2) Clear Kayak Tour of Crystal River 587 Recommended Adventure Tours from $75.00 per adult LIKELY TO SELL OUT* Crystal River Manatee Swim in Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge Some of the ceremonies were related to burial of the dead. WebPeople travelled from great distances to celebrate events, conduct cultural and practical trade, and bury their dead. The building itself is also worth admiring. WebThe Coastal Heritage Museum is a local history museum located in the old City Hall building at 532 N Citrus Avenue, Crystal River FL. Kids over 5 are$5. Explore the untouched areas of Crystal Rivers terrain and enjoy endless opportunities to observe wildlife, such as dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, sharks, stingrays, bald eagles, coral, wild pigs, alligators, deer, and various bird species. The average bone point artifact was four inches in length. Temple mounds in prehistory are believed to have been built for that purpose. The burial practices identified at Crystal River are also similar to those found at other mound sites in the Southeast and the Midwest. While the brochures often show people touching manatees, direct contact is actually illegal. As the sea level rise began to slow down, stable coastlines developed. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bushnell, Also See:Palm Harbor, FL Things to DoThings to Do in Gibsonton, FloridaThings to Do in Sarasota, FL. Major attractions include the Crystal River State Archaeological Site, which protects significant indigenous structures, and the Eco-Walk Trail, which offers 11 interpretive stations providing family-oriented natural education. Copyright 2023 Copyright 2018 Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Formerly known as the Crystal River Buffer Preserve, the Crystal River Preserve State Park stretches for a massive 27,500 acres of rich temperate and subtropical biomes. Discover charming small towns and insider tips to hidden gems. Read more about conditions there under the swim-with-the-manatee section below. The Chassahowitzka River, better known as the Chaz, is a spectacularly beautiful spot 25 minutes south of Crystal River. Powered by Mai Theme, 20 Best Things to Do in Marco Island You Shouldnt Miss. Participants should be good swimmers (and not all the people we saw were.). Bullen was an archaeologist for the Florida Board of Park and Historic Memorials and later was the first archaeologist in the newly established Anthropology Department at the Florida Museum of Natural History. River Ventures offers you that complete Crystal River experience, from scalloping, boating, paddling, snorkelling, and swimming! These finds represent the remains of past lifeways evident at the Crystal River site. This mound is 235 feet long and 12 feet high and is made of sand and shell. Similarities between these artifacts at Crystal River and those at sites in the Hopewell They were making choices that elevated certain places, and probably certain people, above others. For us, we have a garbage truck that will take the trash to the local landfill for disposal or perhaps to a local recycling center. Always remember, it is illegal to collect artifacts on public land, so anything you find that resembles pottery shards, arrowheads, and the like will need to be put back where it was found. Books about Crystal Rivers prehistoric to modern history are also available here. Unlike the modern landfill which will only be used for several years and then filled over, the Native Americans continued to use the same area for hundreds of years. WebPeople travelled from great distances to celebrate events, conduct cultural and practical trade, and bury their dead. People that were buried later did not have this type of artifacts buried with them and some burials do not contain artifacts. Kayakers can tie up their boats outside Three Sistersand swim in. As they had no method of hauling this material any great distance from their homes, they created a dumping area at the outer edge of their village. In the winter, manatees congregate here and boats but not swimmers are barred fromKings Spring. This carving shows that the person represented possessed long hair in a plume over the left shoulder. The slab is today housed on the site within a metal cage. I was wanting to read your section on kayaking the "Chaz", but the link isn't working correctly. But the natural beauty of the clear turquoise water is stunning, and while we had already paddled to the mouth of the spring on the previous day, we could not see the springs from our canoe. The Gulf of Mexico provided a conduit for contact. CrystalRiverPinallisPoints8-650500. Crystal River Archaeological State Park preserves an ancient Native American ceremonial site located in a beautiful setting overlooking the wide Crystal River.The mounds here are surprisingly impressive, but little is really known about the people who built them starting 2,500 years ago. Ever wondered how you can string together the best Crystal River water adventures? The park contains a six-mound complex, occupied from the Deptford period through Santa Rosa-Swift Creek culture and up to the Late Fort Walton period. Over a period of approximately 1,600 - 1,900 years, beginning about 500 BC, the Native Americans at the Crystal River site threw away great quantities of "midden material". Snorkelers swim against a swift current to enter Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River. Special thanks to M. Fuller at St. Louis Community College for the excellent photos from the Crystal River Archaeological State Park museum. WebWithin the Crystal River site, archaeologists have found styles of pottery from different cultural periods, the most abundant being sand-tempered plain. The kin of Paleoindians, now called the Archaic hunting and gathering peoples, adapted to the changing landscape by creating new ways of life that met their familys needs. We were thrilled to see manatees, of course, but if you choose to come here, expect to be around lots of people too. (There are three springs, each forming a lobe of what might look like a clover from above.) Some argue that it is better for the animals to remain wild and without close contact with people. Inside the museum, exhibits explain the history of thecoastal dwellers who used the area in ancient times. This name means that the clay was tempered with sand (sand was added for stability and durability) and it has no markingsit is plain. Over the course of 20 years Moore excavated countless sites in Florida. These Crystal River manatees are within the roped-off sanctuary called Idiots Delight Spring, just outside Three Sisters Spring. That tells us that the mound was probably built around that time. There are only 3,055 residents of Crystal River, and driving through town, you might think they all work in a manatee-related business. At its height of use, the large midden at Crystal River would have stretched from southeast of Mound A all the way to northwest of Mound J. This was the first permanent home for the Crystal River City Government and was used as city hall until the early 1970s. Due to the abundance of different types and periods of ceramics at Crystal River, one could compare to the Hopewell and Mississippian complexes, i.e., a ceremonial complex practiced by several cultures. With Crystal Rivers endless natural landscapes, this Segway tour is a unique, refreshing way to explore the coastal city. LOCATION 3400 N. Museum Point Crystal River FL 34428 VIEW MAP PHONE 352-795-3817 CALL NOW WEBSITE floridastateparks.org BROWSE HOURS 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year Museum open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through The author, Bonnie Gross, travels with her husband David Blasco, discovering off-the-beaten path places to hike, kayak, bike, swim and explore. Plantation on Crystal River, Ascend Hotel Collection, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Inverness, Comfort Suites near Rainbow Springs Dunnellon, Quality Inn Conference Center at Citrus Hills, top things to do in Crystal River with kids, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Bushnell, 35 Best Places to Visit in August in the USA, 35 Best Places to Visit in July in the USA, 35 Best Places to Visit in June in the USA, 35 Best Places to Visit in May in the USA, Faith Haven CRCs Florida Tree Top Adventure, Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park, Rock Crusher Canyon Pavilion and Amphitheater. Kings Bay DriveCrystal River, FL 34429352-563-2088. The trolley leaves from the Visitor Center, 915 N Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River, every 30 minutes. Sacred ceramics are found primarily in mounds, while secular ceramics are found primarily in middens and house sites. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hampton Inn Crystal River, 659 N Citrus AvenueCrystal River, FL 34428(352) 697-2702. Placed on a base of sand, the additional elevation has saved, with rare exceptions, river flooding events from entering the building. What is now the Crystal River State Archaeological Site was once the ceremonial center of Native Americans for almost 2,000 years. They became settled fisher-folk and by about 2,500 years ago, began to live year-round near Crystal River. 352-795-3817. The mill was built by more than 1,000 enslaved blacks to produce sugarcane, cotton, and citrus for Southern troops during the Civil War. Visitors start a visit on apontoon boat ride down Pepper Creek to the wildlife park, where you also see Florida panthers,bears, bobcats, deer, alligators and a wide variety of birds. WebThe Crystal River site, a large mound complex in west-central Florida, is recognized for its various mounded architecture and expansive artifact assemblage, which includes many items non-local to Florida such as copper, mica, quartz, and more. Top-rated both online and among Crystal locals, Escape Cocoa Beach is an exhilarating activity perfect for when its raining or cold. These would have been used for practical and ceremonial purposes. Great read, so what's the latest updated info? If its important to you to go to Three Sisters, ask if your outfitter goes there. WebIt is a Clovis type spear point made of crystal quartz. Crystal River Archaeological State Park This ancient archaeological park is home to Native American burial mounds, abandoned temple and platform mounds, and so much more. Named for a town in New Mexico where these artifacts were first found in association with bones of now extinct Ice Age animals, Clovis points have been found across most of eastern North America, including Arkansas. Crystal River FL 34428, 8 a.m. until sundown, Exhibits and a video detail the history of the Crystal River archaeological site, including how it was discovered, and friendly volunteers and rangers stand ready to answer any questions you may have about the exhibits or the park. U.S. National Register of Historic Places, "National Register of Historical Places - Florida (FL), Citrus County", "Crystal River Archaeological State Park Unit Management Plan", "During tough times, ancient tourists sought solace in Florida oyster feasts", Crystal River State Archaeological Site pictures, Florida Center for Instructional Technology, List of archaeological periods (North America), Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, Ancient Monuments of the Mississippi Valley, Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway, History of the National Register of Historic Places, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Crystal_River_Archaeological_State_Park&oldid=1096288032, National Register of Historic Places in Citrus County, Florida, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2021, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 3 July 2022, at 13:56. The salt water in the Gulf of Mexico mixed with the fresh water flowing from the rivers in the region. Fish and Wildlife Service lists three dozen companies that offer tours or boat rentals for seeing manatees. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Rock Pointe Ranch, Co Road 490Homosassa, FL 34448(352) 795-3817. Web Crystal River Archaeological State Park. Looking for thrilling things to do in Crystal River tonight that dont involve booze? But the most popular activities in the springs include swimming, paddling, and snorkelling with the manatees. More mounds and artifacts illuminate ancient Florida cultures dating back to 500 B.C. (The U.S. LISTEN TO AN EXPERT (CENTER) TO LEARN MORE. In the canal that leads to Three Sisters Spring, we saw more. But the Three Sisters Springs group represents just three of the 70 springs within the 600-acre bay. As the estuary matured, the Native Americans continued to use the marine animals for food. Its south of Crystal River. LOCATION 3400 N. Museum Point Crystal River FL 34428 VIEW MAP PHONE 352-795-3817 CALL NOW WEBSITE floridastateparks.org BROWSE HOURS 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year Museum open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday through Where you get the trolley to Three Sisters Springs: Three Sisters Springs Visitor Center915 N Suncoast Blvd. [5] This is odd because the slab is one that is not found on other mound sites except in locations such as the Caribbean, South America, and Central America. All work in a plume over the course of 20 years Moore excavated countless sites in Florida sacred are... Swimming, paddling, snorkelling, and swimming site within a metal cage inside the museum, explain. Co road 490Homosassa, FL 34429 ( 352 ) 795-3817 under the swim-with-the-manatee section below ceremonial.... Was taking the shell and sand, a small layer of charcoal was exposed archaeologists! Springs group represents just Three of the mound was probably built around that time Best Things to do in River. 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