Researchers unexpectedly discovered a Native American burial site that is 7,000 years old off the coast of Florida.
The burial grounds were found at the Manasota Key Offshore archaeological site, located west of Venice, Florida.
According to Florida’s Department of State, the discovery of the ancient burial ground is ‘unprecedented,’ revealing insight on the practices of prehistoric people that lived in the region thousands of years ago.
A 7,000-year-old Native American burial site has been discovered off the west coast of Florida. It was originally discovered by an amateur diver who reported it to the State after finding possible human remains in 2016
The discovery of the burial ground stemmed from an expedition that happened during the summer of 2016.
Divers found ‘possible human skeletal material’ at that time, and it was reported to the Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources.
The division’s Bureau of Archaeological Research (BAR) has protective authority over human remains that are unmarked and more than 75 years old.
BAR began investigating the offshore site and eventually confirmed the existence of submerged prehistoric burial grounds.
The site is only three-quarters of an acre, and it existed along a shoreline close to what is now Venice some 7,000 years ago during the Early Archaic period.
Research has proven that sea levels were lower during his time and that an inland freshwater pond, which was small, existed where the site is located.
The State confirmed the existence of a prehistoric burial site off the west coast of Venice, Florida. Divers and other researchers have been prohibited from visiting the site and can be met with felony charges for disturbing it
There, the ancestors of indigenous people living in Florida buried their deceased.
The statement explained how the burial site remained preserved for 7,000 years.
It said: ‘As sea levels rose, the pond was covered by the Gulf of Mexico; despite the flooding, the peat bottom of the pond remained intact.
‘Peat slows the process of organic decay, which allowed the site to stay well-preserved.’
The burial ground’s survival and discovery demonstrated to archaeologists that underwater sites have been able to survive natural occurrences, including hurricanes and erosion.
However, these locations are few and far between.
The statement said: ‘Submerged offshore prehistoric burial sites are exceedingly rare, some of the only other examples are located in Israel and Denmark.
Researchers were shocked to find that the site survived underwater for centuries. They said the site was originally inland and explained that sea levels have risen since Native Americans used the burial grounds thousands of years ago
‘As the State of Florida continues to document and research the site, we will gain a deeper understanding of Florida’s early history and its inhabitants.’
State Historic Preservation Officer Dr Timothy Parsons explained the site’s significance, saying: ‘The MKO archaeological site is a revelation for the world of archaeology…The people buried at the site are the ancestors of America’s living indigenous people.’
Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner pledged to work to conserve the underwater site in the statement, saying: ‘The Florida Department of State takes our responsibility for the preservation, respectful treatment and security of this rare and unique site very seriously.
HOW WAS THE MANASOTA KEY OFFSHORE BURIAL SITE FOUND?
A new Native American burial site off the coast of Florida that dates back 7,000 years has been discovered.
It was first flagged up to Florida officials by an amateur diver.
Next, the state carried out an underwater survey that was non-invasive and investigated the region.
Some of the techniques they employed in their investigation included magnetometry, side-scan sonar and sub-bottom profiling.
The newly-discovered site proves to archaeologists the ability of underwater remains to survive natural environmental changes
Thanks to these processes, underwater archaeologists were able to record evidence of the prehistoric Native American burial site.
A statement from the team that investigated the site explained: ‘When the site was in use, the waters of the Gulf of Mexico were about 30 feet below their current level.
‘Given the site’s depth today – under about 21 feet of water – the pond sat on dry land some nine feet above sea level at this time.’
‘Our dedicated team of underwater archaeologists has done an incredible job of documenting and researching the Manasota Key Offshore archaeological site, and I am extremely proud of the work.
Detzner said his team hopes the discovery will lead to ‘a greater understanding of Florida’s early peoples’.
Divers and other researchers were prohibited from visiting the site after the State’s discovery.
‘The site is protected under Florida law, and it is illegal to excavate and/or remove any material or human remains from the site,’ the statement said.
It explained that removing artifacts from the burial ground without being authorized to do so is a first-degree misdemeanor.
Additionally, knowingly disturbing the area is a third-degree felony.