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National Geographic Funds UM Research For Earliest Evidence of Humans on Florida’s West Coast

University of Miami Scientists Team Up with Florida Aquarium Divers
to Excavate Unique Site in North Port

NORTH PORT, Fla. — The University of Miami (UM) Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science has been awarded funding from the National Geographic Society, and is working with divers at The Florida Aquarium, to explore a marine archaeological site at Little Salt Spring.  The excavation, led by UM Marine Affairs and Policy Associate Professor, Dr. John Gifford, is searching for evidence of human habitation in Florida from 10,000 B.C. or 12,000 years ago.

According to Emily Landis, program officer, National Geographic Committee for Research and Exploration, “The research proposed by Dr. Gifford is critical to our understanding of the first Americans.  In 1975, hints of a 12,000 Before Present (B.P.) occupation were found on the 27-meter ledge at Little Salt Spring.  If these early occupation dates are confirmed by modern excavation and laboratory analytical techniques, it would make Little Salt Spring one of the oldest confirmed pre-Clovis sites in the Americas.”

Donated to the University of Miami in 1982, Little Salt Spring was first discovered to be an underwater archeological site in the late 1950s. The anoxic (absence of oxygen) environment at the bottom of the spring does not allow microbes and bacteria to live, so decomposition of organic material deposited there thousands of years ago is greatly reduced.  Wooden and other organic tools, as well as animals' soft tissues and bones, are preserved nearly intact in this unique aquatic environment.

“Visiting Little Salt Spring is like walking back in time,” said UM President Donna E. Shalala.  “This is an extraordinary national treasure, and it is the University of Miami’s responsibility to press on, learning more about the origin of civilization in the New World, and find a way to provide the resources to be good stewards of the artifacts we find there.”

In 2005, Little Salt Spring principal investigator, Dr. John Gifford, and his graduate students discovered two exceptional Archaic artifacts estimated to be approximately 7,000 years old — a greenstone pendant and another carved stone artifact that appears to be part of a spear-thrower.

“Our research has only begun to scratch the surface of what this site may reveal to us,” said Dr. Gifford. “Through The National Geographic Society’s generous support, our team will be able to reopen and extend the 1975 excavation trench in which a now-extinct giant tortoise and an associated wooden spear were discovered, in order to take more samples for paleoenvironmental analysis and search for additional artifacts.

Dr. Gifford's experience at this site since 1983, his work as an underwater archaeologist since 1969 with Dr. George Bass in Turkey, and his publication record, make him well qualified to lead the project.  He will be joined by divers from The Florida Aquarium who are working with UM Dive Safety Officer, Rick Gomez, in the excavation of Little Salt Spring.

“This project requires highly skilled and trained divers to carefully locate and catalog the treasures that lie in the depths of the spring,” said Thom Stork, CEO and President of The Florida Aquarium. “It's a ground-breaking project with significant impact on the conservation of Florida's untold history.”

About the National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 to “increase and diffuse geographic knowledge,” the Society works to inspire people to care about the planet. It reaches more than 300 million people worldwide each month through its official journal, National Geographic, and other magazines; National Geographic Channel; television documentaries; music; radio; films; books; DVDs; maps; school publishing programs; interactive media; and merchandise. National Geographic has funded more than 9,000 scientific research, conservation and exploration projects and supports an education program combating geographic illiteracy. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com

About the Rosenstiel School

Founded in the 1940's, the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science has grown into one of the world's premier marine and atmospheric research institutions. Offering dynamic interdisciplinary academics, the Rosenstiel School is dedicated to helping communities to better understand the planet, participating in the establishment of environmental policies, and aiding in the improvement of society and quality of life.  For more information, please visit www.rsmas.miami.edu

About The Florida Aquarium

Nationally ranked as a “Top-5 Kid-Friendly Aquarium” by Parents Magazine, The Florida Aquarium is home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and marine animals from Florida and around the world telling the story of water’s journey to the sea: from a single drop of rain to the deep waters where the ocean’s top predators are found. http://www.flaquarium.org/

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