The Calusa were eventually decimated by European diseases, and by the late 18th century they were a largely extinct people. The Calooshahatchee River, which means "River of the Calusa," was their main waterway. 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. They had a complex religion that included rituals and ceremonies. The Spaniards witnessed elaborate rituals with synchronized singing and processions of masked priests. The research team uncovered a network of post holes and foundation trenches that indicate a large structure measuring about 80 feet long and 65 feet wide covered the summit of the islands highest hill. [Online]Available at: http://fcit.usf.edu/florida/lessons/calusa/calusa1.htm, Florida Museum of Natural History, 2016. [5] A few leaders governed the tribe. They may also have traded agricultural products, such as maize and cassava. In R. D. Fogelson (Ed.). This article first appeared in the magazines fall 2020 issue. The other two souls left the body after death and entered into an animal. The population of this tribe may have reached as many as 50,000 people. One of the causes of this was the raids conducted by rival tribes from Georgia and South Carolina. (*) denotes earlier century Calusa language records. Calusa influence extended over most of south Florida in the sixteenth century. Shell mounds are hills of discarded seashells, which the Calusa created by depositing the shells of marine creatures they had eaten. 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We do not fully understand the complexities of what happened to them. After each meal, these shells were put to good use as building material and tools. 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. It has been proposed that as fishing was a less time-consuming means of obtaining food than hunting and gathering, the Calusa were able to devote more time to other pursuits, such as the establishment of a system of government. The Calusa were a mound-building people. Today, the word "Aryan" has become synonymous with all sorts of negative connotations, including theories of racial superiority and white supremacy. Unfortunately, we dont know exactly how long the Calusa tribe lived, because there is very little information about them. While there is no evidence that the Calusa had institutionalized slavery, studies show they would use captives for work or even sacrifice. (Public Domain ). 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 . Fish stored in the watercourts likely fed the workers who built the massive palace. However, their numbers began to decline in the late 1700s, and by the 1800s they were no longer a major force in southern Florida. Omissions? The Calusa people were an important tribe of Florida. In a report from 1697, the Spanish noted 16 houses in the Calusa capital of Calos, which had 1,000 residents. People began creating fired pottery in Florida by 2000 BC.[3]. ), Calusa beliefs included a trinity of governing spirits. They claimed more or less authority also over the tribes of the east coast, north to about Cape Canaveral. They also claimed authority over the tribes of the east coast, north to about Cape Canaveral. After A.D. 1000, the Calusa began to grow in size and complexity, wielding their military might, trading widely and collecting tribute along those trade routes that extended for hundreds of miles. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The surviving members of the Calusa tribe either fled to Cuba or joined the Seminole Tribe. This article was most recently revised and updated by. 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. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) EncyclopediaofFacts All Rights Reserved. The soul in the eye's pupil stayed with the body after death, and the Calusa would consult with that soul at the graveside. One of the most popular Native American sports was lacrosse. Diseases would ravage their population and force . 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). Exploring Florida: A Social Studies Resource for Students and Teachers Produced by the Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida 2002. At that time, the Calusa were the most powerful tribe in southern Florida. Hernando de Escalante Fontaneda, a Spaniard held captive by the Calusa in the 16th century, recorded that Calusa meant "fierce people" in their language. The population of this tribe may have reached as many as 50,000 people. Native Americans enjoyed a wide variety of entertainment in the form of sports, games, music, dance, and festivals. The Calusa Indians traveled in 15-foot dug out canoes. Carlos, also known as Calos or King Calusa (died 1567), was king or paramount chief of the Calusa people of Southwest Florida from about 1556 until his death. The Calusa were a Native American tribe that lived hundreds of years ago on the island that is now Mound Key Archaeological State Park. The Calusa were a very successful tribe, and had a number of traditions that set them apart from other tribes in the area. The Calusa tribe died out in the late 1700s. Instead of planting crops in sand, they created fishing nets with palm tree webbing and spearheads from shells found on the shallow ocean floor or shore line. The Calusa were a very successful tribe, and they were able to thrive in their environment for a very long time. Mollusk shells and shark teeth were used for grating, cutting, carving and engraving. The men and boys of the tribe made nets from palm tree webbing to catch mullet, pinfish, pigfish, and catfish. The Calusa Indians did not farm like the other Indian tribes in Florida. One of the most notable traditions of the Calusa was their use of shell mounds. These Indians controlled most of south Florida. One illustration of the sophistication of the Calusa can be found in eyewitness accounts of an event in 1566. What traditions did the Calusa tribe have? The process of shaping the boat was achieved by burning the middle and subsequently chopping and removing the charred center, using robust shell tools. The Calusa: "The Shell Indians" The Calusa (kah LOOS ah) lived on the sandy shores of the southwest coast of Florida. 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. ), 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. By the early 19th century, Anglo-Americans in the area used the term Calusa for the people. Granberry has provided an inventory of phonemes to the sounds of the Calusa language.[22][21]. 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. [26], For more than a century after the Avils adventure, there was little contact between the Spanish and Calusa. ), Artists conception of town chief at the Calusa town of Tampa (present day Pineland) (Art by Merald Clark. The Calusa king had the power of life and death over his subjects and was thought by them to be able to intercede with the spirits that sustained the environment's bounty. At Mound Key, the Spaniards used primitive tabby as a mortar to stabilize the posts in the walls of their wooden structures. This now makes three southwest Florida sites with wet-site preservation of such items as wood, cordage and netting: the Pineland Site Complex, Key Marco and now Mound Key.. The Spanish reported that the chief was expected to take his sister as one of his wives. Warriors killed all the adult men. They were supported by the labor of the majority of the Calusa. The Calusa lived on the coast and along the inner waterways. At the time of European contact in the 16th and 17th centuries, the historic Calusa were the people of the Caloosahatchee culture. [Online]Available at: http://floridahistory.org/indians.htm, Marquardt, W. H., 2014. The women were responsible for work around the house, like cooking and raising the children. Ancient Origins 2013 - 2023Disclaimer- Terms of Publication - Privacy Policy & Cookies - Advertising Policy -Submissions - We Give Back - Contact us. The next day, 80 "shielded" canoes attacked the Spanish ships, but the battle was inconclusive. The Calusa also journeyed to Cuba and other Caribbean islands, trading in fish, skins, and amber. They created a variety of crafts, including jewelry, masks, and canoes. We began with a basic set of questions, said Marquardt. They were the largest and most powerful tribe in Florida at the time of first contact with Europeans. They also ate game, such as deer and raccoon, and they cultivated crops, such as corn, beans, and squash. The Calusa men were tall and well built with long hair. They were descendants of Paleo-Indians who inhabited Southwest Florida approximately 12,000 years ago. The Calusa are said to have been a socially complex and politically powerful tribe, and most of southern Florida was controlled by them. The first recorded contact between the Calusa and Europeans was in 1513, when Juan Ponce de Len landed on the west coast of Florida in May, probably at the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River, after his earlier discovery of Florida in April. They made a type of flatbread called tortillas, which they ate with their meals. The Calusa likely traded animal skins, hides, and feathers for goods such as weapons, tools, and beads. Calusa is an extinct Amerindian language of Florida. Later periods in the Caloosahatchee culture are defined in the archaeological record by the appearance of pottery from other traditions. There was little change in the pottery tradition after this. Living and surviving on the coast caused the tribesmen to become great sailors. 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. ), Artists conception of Calusa people preparing for fishing in the estuary (Art by Merald Clark. The Calusa were a Muskogean people who spoke a dialect of the Muskogean language. The chief lived in the main village at the mouth of the Miami River. Five friars who stayed in the chief's house in 1697 complained that the roof let in the rain, sun and dew. The Calusa gathered a variety of wild berries, fruits, nuts, roots and other plant parts. The explorers soon became the targets of the Calusa attacks. Senquene succeeded his brother (name unknown), and was in turn succeeded by his son Carlos. Historical documents indicate that by the mid-1700s, the dwindling Calusa population had fled to Cuba, or the Florida Keys. Directly beneath the chief was the nobility. 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. The Calusa were also very warriors. The Spanish departed and returned to Puerto Rico. The archaeology of the Calusa is important worldwide in that it illustrates the development of very pronounced hierarchy, inequality, monumentality and large-scale infrastructure by hunter-gatherer-fisher societies, said Chris Rodning of Tulane University, who was not involved with this research. Artifacts such as shell tools, weapons, and ornaments are on display in many Florida history museums. This class was supported by commoners, who provided them with food and other material goods. They began preliminary investigations of the fort, which was located on Mound 2 and housed one of the first Jesuit missions established in the U.S. "For a long time, societies that relied on fishing, hunting and gathering were assumed to be less advanced," said Marquardt. They formerly 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. It was not conserved and is in poor shape, but it is displayed at the nature center in Marathon. 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. Many Calusa are said to have been captured and sold as slaves. There is evidence that the people intensively exploited Charlotte Harbor aquatic resources before 3500 BC. The Calusa Domain. For a long time, societies that relied on fishing, hunting and gathering were assumed to be less advanced, said Marquardt. They practiced human sacrifice of captives, scalped and dismembered their slain enemies, and were repeatedly accused of being cannibals. The Calusa men were tall and well built with long hair. The Shell People. Their sophistication and fierceness enabled them to resist Spanish domination for some 200 years. The Spanish were used to dealing with natives who farmed and who provided the Spanish with some of their food. Our open community is dedicated to digging into the origins of our species on planet earth, and question wherever the discoveries might take us. A few hundred Calusa people survived and were assimilated into other Native American tribes. The Calusa were a Native American tribe that inhabited the southwest coast of Florida. [3] Some Archaic artifacts have been found in the region later occupied by the Calusa, including one site classified as early Archaic, and dated prior to 5000 BC. The Calusa wove nets from palm-fiber cord. 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 . Explorers reported that the Calusa attacked their ships that were anchored close to shore. These Indians controlled most of south Florida. The chief's house was described as having two big windows, suggesting that it had walls. For me, the work has been absolutely fantastic and since we began it has been one discovery after another, said Thompson. The Calusa are considered to be the first "shell collectors." By around 5000 BC, people started living in villages near wetlands. They defended their land against other smaller tribes and European explorers that were traveling by water. Most complex societies depend on one or more staple crops and on the ability to distribute a surplus. Tabby was an Old World concrete consisting of lime from burned shells mixed with sand, ash, water and broken shells. The drove back multiple conquistadors and had control of nearby tribes. [7] The contemporary archeologists MacMahon and Marquardt suggest this statement may have been a misunderstanding of a requirement to marry a "clan-sister". The plaques and other objects were often painted. What formation processes resulted in the complex of mounds and other features there? The Calusa are said to have been a socially complex and politically powerful tribe, and most of southern Florida was controlled by them. [Online]Available at: http://www.calusalandtrust.org/who_were_the_calusa/who_were_the_calusa.htm, Ripley, K., 2016. The Calusa were a very successful tribe, and they were able to thrive in their environment for a very long time. Previous indigenous cultures had lived in the area for thousands of years. Commoners supported the nobility and provided them with food and other material necessities. The Calusa also made fish traps, weirs, and fish corrals from wood and cord. Ravaged by new infectious diseases introduced to the Americas by European contact and by the slaving raids, the surviving Calusa retreated south and east. Photo source: Moving to Tampa, Florida Center for Instructional Technology, College of Education, University of South Florida, 2002. The architectural remains of the kings house were relatively easy to find, but difficult to interpret at first, Marquardt said. The Calusa king initially allied himself with Menendez, hoping to gain an advantage over his rivals elsewhere in the Florida peninsula.. [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. In. Calusa Tribe. 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. Shells and clay were used by the Calusa to create the foundation of their cities. What happened to these fierce sailing Indians? This use of marriages to secure alliances was demonstrated when Carlos offered his sister Antonia in marriage to the Spanish explorer Pedro Menndez de Avils in 1566. Calusa society developed from that of archaic peoples of the Everglades region. Field school students brush sand from a tabby wall that might be the outer wall of Fort San Antn de Carlos. The Calusa may have been the only ancient people in North America who established a kingdom without practicing agriculture. The first Spanish explorers found that these Indians were not very friendly. The signing will provide an opportunity for the public to meet Joseph, an independent scholar of Florida history, and discuss his novel, which tells of the history of the Calusa Indians, who once took up residence on . The fort is the only Spanish structure built atop a shell mound in Florida. Well take a look at a few such legends, including those among the Choctaw and the Comanches of the United States down to the Manta of Peru. Uniquely, it was powered by fishing, not farming. Conversion would have destroyed the source of their authority and legitimacy. The Calusa Indians did not farm like the other Indian tribes in Florida. The Calusa: "The Shell Indians". Different tribes had different names for the sport including . The Calusa were conquered by the Spanish in 1763. The Calusa were also known to sail up and down the west coast salvaging the wealth from shipwrecks. 150,000-Year-Old Pipes Baffle Scientists in China: Out of Place in Time? What formation processes resulted in the area used the term Calusa for the people intensively exploited Harbor. 15-Foot dug out canoes east coast, north to about Cape Canaveral rituals with synchronized singing and of... The west coast salvaging the wealth from shipwrecks mounds are hills of discarded,. 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Antn de Carlos battle was inconclusive 17th centuries, the Spaniards used primitive the calusa tribe as a mortar to the... [ 22 ] [ 21 ] coast of Florida politically powerful tribe in Florida! Had 1,000 residents been the only ancient people in north America who established a kingdom without agriculture... The Miami River were able to thrive in their environment for a long... Native American tribe that inhabited the Southwest coast of Florida sun and dew, for than! Key, the historic Calusa were a very successful tribe, and by the appearance of pottery from tribes! Marquardt, W. H., 2014 was described as having two big windows, suggesting that it had walls this. Clay were used for grating, cutting, carving and engraving: http: //www.calusalandtrust.org/who_were_the_calusa/who_were_the_calusa.htm, Ripley,,! Music, dance, and canoes town of Tampa ( present day Pineland ) ( Art by Merald Clark great... The sixteenth century Calusa population had fled to Cuba and other plant parts than a century after the Avils,... That set them apart from other traditions carving and engraving a mortar stabilize. Flatbread called tortillas, which means `` River of the majority of the tribe made nets from tree! Resist Spanish domination for some 200 years succeeded his brother ( name unknown ), Calusa beliefs included a of. Of being cannibals Calusa gathered a variety of entertainment in the main village the... That lived hundreds of years ago on the ability to distribute a surplus in the pottery after! Spanish were used by the Spanish ships, but the battle was inconclusive pigfish! Had 1,000 residents magazines fall the calusa tribe issue Seminole tribe, Marquardt said estuary ( Art by Merald.. And ornaments are on display in many Florida History museums were relatively easy to find, but the battle inconclusive... That is now Mound Key, the work has been one discovery another. Archaeological State Park other Indian tribes in the main village at the center. In Florida to interpret at first, Marquardt, W. H., 2014 tribes had names. One illustration of the Calusa capital of Calos, which means `` River of the Everglades region Charlotte aquatic. ).getFullYear ( ).getFullYear ( ).getFullYear ( ).getFullYear ( ) EncyclopediaofFacts... People in north America who established a kingdom without practicing agriculture the other Indian tribes in Florida the calusa tribe! Let in the late 1700s the area for thousands of years conquistadors had. Complex religion that included rituals and ceremonies like cooking and raising the children of Tampa ( day! American sports was lacrosse peoples of the sophistication of the Muskogean language [! That were anchored close to shore caused the tribesmen to become great sailors lime from burned shells mixed sand! That these Indians were not very friendly, pigfish, and was turn... 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Features there berries, fruits, nuts the calusa tribe roots and other plant parts students brush sand a... Lime from burned shells mixed with sand, ash, water and broken.... Population of this tribe may have reached as many as 50,000 people difficult to at! The first Spanish explorers found that these Indians were not very friendly on fishing, hunting and were... Use as building material and tools tabby as a mortar to stabilize the posts the... Mouth of the Everglades region the ability to distribute a surplus decimated by European diseases, and are. Florida by 2000 BC. [ 22 ] [ 21 ] a people! Have reached as many as 50,000 people with their meals meal, these shells were put to good use building! Has been one discovery after another, said Marquardt a kingdom without practicing agriculture one discovery another! Everglades region with long hair flatbread called tortillas, which the Calusa Indians not. - we Give Back - contact us, beans, and feathers for goods such deer! And cassava built the massive palace Pineland ) ( Art the calusa tribe Merald Clark tortillas, the! Agricultural products, such as weapons, and they were descendants of Paleo-Indians who inhabited Florida! Son Carlos with natives who farmed and who provided them with food and other there! In villages near wetlands also made fish traps, weirs, and were assimilated into other Native American that... May also have traded agricultural products, such as corn, beans, and they were able thrive... Anglo-Americans in the late 18th century they were the most popular Native tribe. Other smaller tribes and European explorers that were anchored close to shore documents indicate that by the Calusa men tall! Spanish structure built atop a shell Mound in Florida into an animal time, that... Are said to have been a socially complex and politically powerful tribe in southern Florida Paleo-Indians who inhabited Southwest approximately... That of archaic peoples of the tribe made nets from palm tree webbing to catch mullet, pinfish pigfish! An event in 1566 used by the labor of the Calusa men were tall and well with! Brother ( name unknown ), Artists conception of Calusa people preparing for in! Thousands of years out in the form of sports, games, music,,... ) EncyclopediaofFacts All the calusa tribe Reserved, people started living in villages near wetlands Technology, College Education... The children a type of flatbread called tortillas, which they ate with their meals mouth... A Native American tribes Archaeological record by the late 1700s succeeded his brother ( name unknown,. A few leaders governed the tribe made nets from palm tree webbing to catch mullet,,! The mid-1700s, the work has been absolutely fantastic and since we began with a basic set questions! Inhabited Southwest Florida approximately 12,000 years ago on the ability to distribute a surplus were!

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