First Inhabitants

Several thousand years ago, the Manatee River was first inhabited by Native Americans who settled in villages along the river, creating enormous shell middens and mounds. These people thrived on the abundant fish and shellfish gathered along the river. These early Floridians left traces of their past in the form of shell tools, pottery, and food remains.

 
Drying meat, fish, and other food. The smoked meat would be preserved and could be eaten later. Engraving by Jacques Le Moyne, Plate XXIV
Photo courtesy of the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, University of South Florida

 

 
Bringing crops to the public storehouse. The storehouses were constructed of stones and mud with low roofs. The harvest from islands would by brought in by canoe. Engraving by Jacques Le Moyne, Plate XXII Photo courtesy of the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, University of South Florida

 

 
Shell hammer with wooden handle fragment in haft, Pleuroploca gigantea shell and wood, A.D. 700-1500, Key Marco, Collier Co.
Photo courtesy of the Florida Museum of Natural History

 

 
Shell Mound at Shaw's Point in 1910 (The arrow points to a person standing beside the mound.)
Photo courtesy of the Southeast Archeological Center

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