Stratigraphic Framework, Paleoenvironments, and Indigenous Terraforming of Inshore Estuarine Subbasins in Tampa Bay, Florida, U.S.A.

Bathymetric LiDAR and Semi‐Automated Feature Extraction Assist Underwater Archaeological Surveys

“…However, regional sea level curves suggest that many now‐submerged, formerly coastal sites exist (Anderson, Russo, and Sassaman 2007; Joy 2019; Jackson et al. 2023).…”

“…Some of the earliest coastal settlements in Florida appeared nearly 7000 years ago, though most post-date 5000 years ago (Russo 1994). However, regional sea level curves suggest that many now-submerged, formerly coastal sites exist (Anderson, Russo, and Sassaman 2007;Joy 2019;Jackson et al 2023).…”

Geoarchaeology and Coastal Morphodynamics of Harbor Key (8MA15): Indigenous Persistence at a Partially Inundated Native Shell Mound Complex in Tampa Bay, Florida

“…Consistent with Thulman's (2009) settlement model, artifact and site distributions suggest significant human occupation of the Tampa Bay region during the terminal Pleistocene and Early Holocene (Anderson et al 2019; Wisenbaker and Daniel 1987). A widespread transition to estuarine conditions in Tampa Bay during the mid-Holocene, about 6500 BP (Cronin et al 2007; van Soelen et al 2010), corresponded with a climatic optimum that drove pine-forest expansion and the establishment of vast estuarine wetland systems (Jackson et al 2023; van Soelen et al 2012). Although older sites may be preserved in submerged contexts, the earliest preserved Indigenous shell-bearing sites in the region date to the mid-Holocene, yielding fiber-tempered ceramics along with shell- and bone-tool technologies (Saunders and Russo 2011).…”

“…Although older sites may be preserved in submerged contexts, the earliest preserved Indigenous shell-bearing sites in the region date to the mid-Holocene, yielding fiber-tempered ceramics along with shell- and bone-tool technologies (Saunders and Russo 2011). Continued sea-level rise throughout the Late Holocene—particularly after AD 200—exposed estuarine sub-basins to increased wave forcing and converted marsh-dominated tidal creek systems to open sand flats and seagrass meadows, which currently dominate shallow subtidal and intertidal zones (Jackson et al 2023; also see Goodbred et al 1998). Most large shell-terraformed Native settlements on the peninsular Gulf Coast were constructed during the first millennium, with major intensifications in mound building after around AD 500 (Austin et al 2014; Pluckhahn and Thompson 2018; Wallis and McFadden 2016).…”