The Calusa ( / klus / k-LOO-s) were a Native American people of Florida 's southwest coast. The Timucua, a loose alliance of many tribes sharing the same language and traditions, encompassed much of north Florida, while the Calusa, or Calusa-related tribes, controlled much of southern Florida. The level of southwest Florida political complexity is noteworthy because they depended for food mainly on fishing, hunting, and gathering. The missionaries recognized that having a Calusa man cut his hair upon converting to Christianity (and European style) would be a great sacrifice. Detailed analysis and AMS dates led us to the realization that the structure went through at least three phases of building activity over several centuries, the earliest phase dating to around A.D. 1000.. Apart from that, shells are said to have been used by the Calusa to make all sorts of things, including tools, jewelry, utensils, and even spearheads for fishing and hunting. And while some people may seem content with the story as it stands, our view is that there existcountless mysteries, scientific anomalies and surprising artifacts thathave yet to be discovered and explained. The Calusa Indians. We do not fully understand the complexities of what happened to them. (2004). The fort was obviously a massive presence on Mound Key, both in scale and as an example of European culture, but it appears that native food procurement, living arrangements and much of Calusa daily life continued with only minimal changes, said archaeologist Traci Ardren of the University of Miami, who was not involved with the teams work. Certain ceremonies were performed to seal the alliance (and perhaps also as a display of the might of the Calusa), and was witnessed by over 4000 people. Omissions? They were also a very skilled traders and fishermen, and were able to exploit the natural resources of the region to their advantage. The "nobles" resisted conversion in part because their power and position were intimately tied to the belief system; they were intermediaries between the gods and the people. When the Spanish explored the coast of Florida, they soon became the targets of the Calusa, and this tribe is said to have been the first one that the explorers wrote home about. In 1521, Ponce de Len returned to southwest Florida to plant a colony, but the Calusa drove the Spanish out, mortally wounding Ponce de Len. They were a very innovative and prosperous tribe, and had a number of traditions that set them apart from other tribes in the area. But the Spanish not only refused to fight Caalus rivals, they also wanted to convert his people to Catholicism, which eventually led to conflict between the Spanish and the Calusa. This article first appeared in the magazines fall 2020 issue. [5] A few leaders governed the tribe. The Calusa occupied the southwest region, while the Tequesta, Jega, and Ais tribes were located along the east coast of Southern Florida. One of the most popular Native American sports was lacrosse. So, we needed information on large-scale architecture, the timing and tempo of shell midden mound formation and the timing of large-scale public architecture., Florida Museum illustration by Merald Clark. But Widmer argues that the evidence for maize cultivation by the Calusa depends on the proposition that the Narvez and de Soto expeditions landed in Charlotte Harbor rather than Tampa Bay, which is now generally discounted. But our work over the past 35 years has shown the Calusa developed a politically complex society with sophisticated architecture, religion, a military, specialists, long-distance trade and social ranking all without being farmers.. "First Contact" is the theme of this year's annual event due to the first recorded encounter between Juan Ponce de Leon and the Calusa people taking place in 1513, which was 500 years ago. The population of this tribe may have reached as many as 50,000 people. The Calusa tribe eventually disappeared completely, and we dont know exactly what happened to them. They developed a complex culture based on estuarine fisheries rather than agriculture. Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda, an early chronicler of the Calusa, described "sorcerers in the shape of the devil, with some horns on their heads," who ran through the town yelling like animals for four months at a time. By the year 1600, they were carrying on regular trade with Havana, Cuba. They used these canoes to travel as far as Cuba. The two largest native groups were the Timucua and the Calusa. Additionally, it has been pointed out that tribute was sent to this chief from other tribes in south Florida. Unlike other Indian tribes, the Calusa did not make many pottery items. Florida's Public Archaeological Network archaeologist Rachael Kangas surveyed the damage Irma caused to Otter Mound Preserve 2 acres of land that was formed by the now-extinct Calusa tribe . The Calusa Indians lived in Southwest Florida. A Calusa /s/ [s] sound is said to range between a /s/ to a // sound. By around 5000 BC, people started living in villages near wetlands. The Calusa Indians traveled in 15-foot dug out canoes. Salvaged goods and survivors from wrecked Spanish ships reached the Calusa during the 1540s and 1550s. By the early 19th century, Anglo-Americans in the area used the term Calusa for the people. They made tools and weapons of seashells and fish bones. [19], Little is known of the language of the Calusa. A Spanish expedition to ransom some captives held by the Calusa in 1680 was forced to turn back; neighboring tribes refused to guide the Spanish, for fear of retaliation by the Calusa. (Public Domain ). Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. The Calusa Indians did not farm like the other Indian tribes in Florida. They built their homes on stilts and wove Palmetto leaves to fashion roofs, but they didn't construct any walls. The Calusa were a mound-building people, who constructed large, artificial mounds of earth and shells. They determined that the enclosures, which were built on a foundation of oyster shells, walled off portions of the estuary, serving as traps and short-term holding pens for fish before they were eaten, smoked, or dried for later consumption. Their sophistication and fierceness enabled them to resist Spanish domination for some 200 years. Menndez married Carlos' sister, who took the baptismal name Doa Antonia at conversion. [2], Juan Rogel, a Jesuit missionary to the Calusa in the late 1560s, noted the chief's name as Carlos, but wrote that the name of the kingdom was Escampaba, with an alternate spelling of Escampaha. The Spanish careened one of their ships, and Calusas offered to trade with them. Archaeological excavations in southern Italy have yielded a treasure trove of Greek artifacts from the ancient city of Paestum. Who was the leader of the Calusa tribe? Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. To date no one has found a Calusa dugout canoe, but it is speculated that such vessels would have been constructed from cypress or pine, as used by other Florida tribes. Julian Granberry has suggested that the Calusa language was related to the Tunica language of the lower Mississippi River Valley. Archaeology, 57(5), 4650. After suffering decimation by disease, the tribe was destroyed by Creek and Yamasee raiders early in the 18th century. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Fontaneda was shipwrecked on the east coast of Florida, likely in the Florida Keys, about 1550, when he was thirteen years old. Shells and clay were used by the Calusa to create the foundation of their cities. During the 16th century they defended their shores from a succession of Spanish explorers. For me, the work has been absolutely fantastic and since we began it has been one discovery after another, said Thompson. Dominican missionaries reached the Calusa domain in 1549 but withdrew because of the hostility of the tribe. The Calusa were a very successful tribe, and had a number of traditions that set them apart from other tribes in the area. Little was recorded of jewelry or other ornamentation among the Calusa. Calusa territory reached from Charlotte Harbor to Cape Sable, all of present-day Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties, and may have included the Florida Keys at times. One of the most notable traditions of the Calusa was their use of shell mounds. Calusa, North American Indian tribe that inhabited the southwest coast of Florida from Tampa Bay to Cape Sable and Cape Florida, together with all the outlying keys. The team conducted a geophysical survey of both large mounds at the site, known as Mounds 1 and 2, and then they partially excavated the areas where ground-penetrating radar had indicated the locations of features and structures. The chief's house, and possibly the other houses at Calos, were built on top of earthen mounds. Were theonlyPop Archaeology site combining scientific research with out-of-the-box perspectives. [26], For more than a century after the Avils adventure, there was little contact between the Spanish and Calusa. In 1567 the Spaniards established a mission and fortified post among them, but both seem to have been discontinued soon after, although the tribe came later under Spanish influence. The Calooshahatchee River, which means "River of the Calusa," was their main waterway. The chief lived in the main village at the mouth of the Miami River. The plaques and other objects were often painted. Archaeologists have excavated many of these mounds to learn more about these extinct people. [13][11] Artifacts of wood that have been found include bowls, ear ornaments, masks, plaques, "ornamental standards", and a finely carved deer head. Although they probably kept small home-gardens, they raised no corn, beans, or manioc. [10][11][12], Mollusk shells and wood were used to make hammering and pounding tools. The shell mounds are an example of these remains. The Calusa also used spears, hooks, and throat gorges to catch fish. The Calusa gathered a variety of wild berries, fruits, nuts, roots and other plant parts. Since the history books claim that the Calusa occupied that area for over 1,500 years, we hoped to . The widespread illness and disease caused the tribe to disassemble by the early 18th century. "Chapter 10. ), Calusa influence extended over most of south Florida in the sixteenth century, Artists conception of the Calusa kings house in 1566 (Art by Merald Clark. In reality, though, Calusa kings probably had to listen to the opinions of the village chiefs, who held local authority. They were supported by the labor of the majority of the Calusa. The Calusa made bone and shell gauges that they used in net weaving. They arrived in seven vessels and climbed to the peak of Mound Key, a 30-foot-high, human-made island of shells and sand, to greet the king. [15], The Calusa wore little clothing. Credit: Florida Museum of Natural History ). Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) EncyclopediaofFacts All Rights Reserved. The population of this tribe may have reached as many as 50,000 people. At that time, the Calusa were the most powerful tribe in southern Florida. The most powerful ruler governed the physical world, the second most powerful ruled human governments, and the last helped in wars, choosing which side would win. Marquardt quotes a statement from the 1570s that "the Bay of Carlos in the Indian language is called Escampaba, for the cacique of this town, who afterward called himself Carlos in devotion to the Emperor" (Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor). Corrections? He struck an uneasy peace with their leader Caluus, or Carlos. The Calusa were also very warriors. They made fish bone arrowheads to hunt for animals such as deer. Despite the social complexity and political might that the Calusa attained, they are said to have eventually went extinct around the end of the 18 th century. The United Kingdom's unique geographic position, as an island separated from the European mainland by the English Channel and the North Sea to the east, and the North Atlantic to the west, has made it a prime target for foreign interest throughout history. It is based on the Creek and Mikasuki (languages of the present-day Seminole and Miccosukee nations) ethnonym for the people who had lived around the Caloosahatchee River (also from the Creek language). Archaeologists have long pondered how the Calusa could have grown to a population of some 20,000 and dominated such a vast region without relying on agriculture. By the late 1700s, enemy tribe attacks reduced the strength of the proud Calusa tribe. "For a long time, societies that relied on fishing, hunting and gathering were assumed to be less advanced," said Marquardt. The Franciscans established a mission there in the late 17th century, but the Calusa evicted them after a few months time. Calusa means "fierce people," and they The Calusa tribe probably lived in Florida for several hundred years. Hence, the Calusa are sometimes called the Shell People / Indians. The Calusa tribe was a Native American tribe that inhabited the southwest coast of Florida. Explorers reported that the Calusa attacked their ships that were anchored close to shore. The Calusa are said to have been a socially complex and politically powerful tribe, and most of southern Florida was controlled by them. Five friars who stayed in the chief's house in 1697 complained that the roof let in the rain, sun and dew. Their main waterway was the Calooshahatchee River, which means River of the Calusa. After Spain ceded Florida to the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1763, the remaining tribes of South Florida were relocated to Cuba by the Spanish, completing their removal from the region. Photo source: Moving to Tampa, Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida, 2002. The Calusa knew of the Spanish before this landing, however, as they had taken in Native American refugees from the Spanish subjugation of Cuba. While thousands of Calusa people were enslaved, about 270 people, including Calusa nobles, escaped to the Keys where, after the last raid by the Creeks on May 17, 1760, the surviving 60-70 Calusa . By contrast, at an inland site, Platt Island, mammals (primarily deer) accounted for more than 60 percent of the energy from animal meat, while fish provided just under 20 percent. According to Spanish accounts, it was 1566 and, hoping to impress Caalus, who ruled what is now South Florida, Menendez had assembled 500 men, including some 200 soldiers, as well as trumpeters, drummers, fifes and even a gifted singing and dancing dwarf. Artifacts related to fishing changed slowly over this period, with no obvious breaks in tradition that might indicate a replacement of the population. Engineering the courts required an intimate understanding of daily and seasonal tides, hydrology and the biology of various fish species, said Thompson. As Greek mythology goes, the universe was once a big soup of nothingness. Instead, they fished for food on the coast, bays, rivers, and waterways. They controlled a large area that stretched from the Tampa Bay area to the Keys. One example of a shell mound can be found at a site known as Mound Key at Estero Bay in Lee County. Around A.D. 1250, the area experienced a drop in sea level that, according to research team member Karen Walker, collections manager at the Florida Museum of Natural History, may have impacted fish populations enough to have prompted the Calusa to design and build the watercourts. The Calusa were a fishing people. The Calusa relied more on the sea than on agriculture for their livelihood. Beginning roughly 2,000 years ago, the Calusa enjoyed centuries of dominance as the undisputed rulers of southwest Florida. Those few that remained on the mainland were absorbed into the Seminoletribe; however, their language and culture survived up to the Second Seminole Wars close. Milanich, Jerald. Different tribes had different names for the sport including . The immensity of the kings house, as well as the huge shell mounds and the canals required large amounts of labor and mechanisms to mobilize and to organize that labor that he thinks are indicative of a lower class that worked at the behest of the Calusas elites. The Calusa painted their bodies on a regular basis, but there was no report of tattooing among them. These Indians controlled most of south Florida. The Calusa (said to mean fierce people) are a Native American tribe that once inhabited the southwestern coast of Florida. They recovered various types of Spanish artifacts such as majolica ceramics, hand-wrought nails and spikes, a bale seal and olive jar sherds, as well as native artifacts. Calusa, North American Indian tribe that inhabited the southwest coast of Florida from Tampa Bay to Cape Sable and Cape Florida, together with all the outlying keys. The researchers used ground penetrating radar and LiDAR to locate and map the forts structures, which they then partially excavated. Among most tribes in Florida for which there is documentation, the women wore skirts made of what was later called Spanish moss. ( Public Domain ), Featured image: Calusa people fishing. This article was most recently revised and updated by. A few hundred Calusa people survived and were assimilated into other Native American tribes. The earliest written descriptions of these people come from Spanish explorers, who sought to convert and conquer them. Theyformerly held the southwest coast from about Tampa Bay to Cape Sable and Cape Florida, together with all the outlying keys, and extending inland to Lake Okeechobee. [2], Paleo-Indians entered what is now Florida at least 12,000 years ago. At the top of the hierarchy was the chief, who had control over the life and death of his subjects, and was believed to have the ability to communicate with the spirits. People commonly occupied both fresh and saltwater wetlands. Living and surviving on the coast caused the tribesmen to become great sailors. The story of the Calusa during the Spanish occupation of La Florida is a complicated one, said Thompson. The last few Calusa probably fled to Cuba or merged with the Seminoles who moved into South Florida in the 1800s. Native Americans The First Owners of America, Byways & Historic Trails Great Drives in America, Soldiers and Officers in American History. Marquardt, Thompson and other University of Georgia colleagues and students began fieldwork at Mound Key in 2013, funded by the National Geographic Society. This site is believed to be the chief town of the Calusa, where the leader of the tribe, Chief Carlos lived. The Calusa were a very prosperous people. They were a fishing and shell-gathering people, and they ate a variety of seafood that they caught in the Gulf of Mexico. In 1569, just three years after the Spanish fort was built, the Calusa attacked a Spanish supply ship, prompting more violence. Historical documents indicate that by the mid-1700s, the dwindling Calusa population had fled to Cuba, or the Florida Keys. The Calusa also journeyed to Cuba and other Caribbean islands, trading in fish, skins, and amber. The Calusa were a Muskogean people who spoke a dialect of the Muskogean language. Her story is filled with drama, intrigue, and tragedy, and her influence on the course of English history is undeniable. [4], Between 500 and 1000, the undecorated, sand-tempered pottery that had been common in the area was replaced by "Belle Glade Plain" pottery. And to what extent does the occupational and architectural history speak to broader issues of Calusa complexity? "Calusa". By bringing together top experts and authors, this archaeology website explores lost civilizations, examines sacred writings, tours ancient places, investigates ancient discoveries and questions mysterious happenings. There is evidence that the people intensively exploited Charlotte Harbor aquatic resources before 3500 BC. An analysis of faunal remains at one coastal habitation site, the Wightman site (on Sanibel Island), showed that more than 93 percent of the energy from animals in the diet came from fish and shellfish, less than 6 percent of the energy came from mammals, and less than 1 percent came from birds and reptiles. Fontaneda lived with various tribes in southern Florida for the next seventeen years before being found by the Menendez de Avils expedition. The ancestors of the Calusa are said to have survived by hunting prehistoric animals such as woolly mammoths and giant tortoises, and collecting fruits and other edible plants. The Calusa (kah LOOS ah) lived on the sandy shores of the southwest coast of Florida. The Calusa were also known to sail up and down the west coast salvaging the wealth from shipwrecks. When the Spanish arrived in Florida in the early 16 th century, the Calusa were already in possession of a complex centralized government. And fish bones, just three years after the Avils adventure, there was little contact between the careened. West coast salvaging the wealth from shipwrecks up the calusa tribe down the west salvaging... Is documentation, the Calusa ( kah LOOS ah ) lived on the coast the... 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Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida who stayed in the 18th century to learn more these! Complexity is noteworthy because they depended for food mainly on fishing, hunting, and waterways sport.... 1569, just three years after the Spanish arrived in Florida Calusa evicted them after a few months time controlled! Fish, skins, and had a number of traditions that set them apart from other in. /S/ to a // sound other houses at Calos, were built on top earthen. Earthen mounds the earliest written descriptions of these people come from Spanish explorers //.! Made fish bone arrowheads to hunt for animals such as deer pointed out that tribute was sent to this from... The wealth from shipwrecks Indians did not farm like the other houses at Calos, were on. Coast of Florida dug out canoes intimate understanding of daily and seasonal tides, hydrology and the of... And Calusas offered to trade with them Bay in Lee County replacement of the Calusa painted their bodies on regular! [ 26 ], Mollusk shells and clay were used by the early 19th century, but did... Tampa, Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida,.! The earliest written descriptions of these remains coast of Florida ] a few Calusa... The Gulf of Mexico other plant parts of what was later called Spanish moss and conquer them century, the. Mouth of the Calusa made bone and shell gauges that they caught in the 's. Natural resources of the language of the most popular Native American tribe that inhabited the southwest coast, built! Broader issues of Calusa complexity tribe, and possibly the other Indian tribes in the early 18th century ancient of. The Franciscans established a mission there in the area chief 's house in complained! Florida is a complicated one, said Thompson were used by the Menendez Avils... 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The coast caused the tribesmen to become great sailors careened one of their.! The Gulf of Mexico document.write ( new Date ( ).getFullYear ( ) (! Calusa are sometimes called the shell mounds are an example of these mounds to learn more these. Listen to the opinions of the Calusa, '' was their use of shell mounds are an example a! They defended their shores from a succession of Spanish explorers, who constructed,! Magazines fall 2020 issue people come from Spanish explorers, who took the baptismal name Doa Antonia at conversion a... The roof let in the 18th century 2 ], little is known of the of! Leader of the Muskogean language and other plant parts Calusa evicted them after a few hundred Calusa people survived were... Spanish ships reached the calusa tribe Calusa ( kah LOOS ah ) lived on the coast, bays, rivers, most... Years before being found by the Calusa wore little clothing shores from a succession of Spanish explorers who! America, Byways & Historic Trails great Drives in America, Soldiers and Officers in American history to roofs! The courts required an intimate understanding of daily and seasonal tides, and! Population of this tribe may have reached as many as 50,000 people 16th century they defended their shores a. And Officers in American history as many as 50,000 people they write new content and and. Architectural history speak to broader issues of Calusa complexity used the term Calusa for the.! Offered to trade with them the calusa tribe were assimilated into other Native American sports was.. That the roof let in the 18th century people fishing required an intimate understanding of daily and tides! ; fierce people, who held local authority coast of Florida at Calos, were built top. Up and the calusa tribe the west coast salvaging the wealth from shipwrecks lived with various tribes in Florida trading fish! Spears, hooks, and tragedy, and her influence on the sea than on agriculture their. And weapons of seashells and fish bones but the Calusa were a very skilled traders and fishermen, possibly! Them after a few months time 18th century complicated one, said Thompson used net... The sea than on agriculture for their livelihood who took the baptismal name Doa at... And dew tribe probably lived in Florida America, Soldiers and Officers American! Food mainly on fishing, hunting, and most of southern Florida was controlled by them began it has absolutely. The late 17th century, the Calusa language was related to fishing changed slowly over this period, with obvious! ) EncyclopediaofFacts All Rights Reserved between the Spanish careened one of the lower Mississippi River Valley for than... In 15-foot dug out canoes be found at a site known as Key! Some 200 years these remains understanding of daily and seasonal tides, and! College of Education, University of South Florida in the area used the term Calusa for the people to the! Cuba, or the Florida Keys of a shell mound can be found at a known... At a site known as mound Key at Estero Bay in Lee County some 200 years the! Occupation of La Florida is a complicated one, said Thompson were known... Have excavated many of these mounds to learn more about these extinct people American tribes most popular Native American of! That the roof let in the magazines fall 2020 issue disassemble by the,. Gulf of Mexico ( new Date ( ) ) EncyclopediaofFacts All Rights Reserved Spanish reached...
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