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For Immediate Release:
May 16, 2014
Media Contact:
Cathy Guerra
[email protected]
305-235-1668

Free lecture at the Deering Estate at Cutler: "An Investigation into the Image of the Ecological Indian in the Woodland Period at Crystal River or - Oyster Exploitation?"


(MIAMI, May 16, 2014) – In partnership with the Archaeological Society of Southern Florida, the Deering Estate at Cutler presents a free lecture on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm. Lectures are held in the Visitor Center Theatre at the Deering Estate at Cutler located at 16701 SW 72 Avenue. The lectures are free and open to the public.

Thursday, June 12, 2014, at 7:00 p.m.
Topic: “An Investigation into the Image of the Ecological Indian in the Woodland Period at Crystal River or – Oyster Exploitation?”
Presenter: Alexander Delgado
Visitor Center Theatre; FREE and open to the public. 

The Crystal River overlooks one of the most impressive archaeological sites in the south, the Crystal River Archaeological State Park. This presentation will focus on the field work done at Crystal River and the analysis of the material remains which were found at the site.  More specifically, our speaker, Alex Delgado, seeks to address the issue of over-exploitation of resources at the site. In this case, more than 600 oyster shells were meticulously analyzed in order to gain insights into the subsistence patterns of the original inhabitants of the area. The presentation will also seek to address the pervasive image of the, "Ecological Indian.” Were Native Americans mindful of ecology? 

Our presenter Alex Delgado is a graduate student studying archaeology at the University of South Florida.  He has completed his field work at the Crystal River mound site in Central Florida. His research interests include North American Prehistory, subsistence patterns, early village and state formation, resource exploitation, and experimental archaeology.

Please note that there are no lectures scheduled in July and August. The next lecture is scheduled on Thursday,
September 11th with archaeologist/anthropologist Meryl Shriver-Rice as the presenter.

About the Deering Estate at Cutler
The Deering Estate at Cutler, a Miami-Dade County Park, is located at 16701 SW 72 Avenue in Miami. This 444-acre natural and archeological preserve and historic site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as a center for education, culture and recreation. Historic house tours are offered daily at 10:30 am & 3:00 pm. Natural areas tours are offered daily at 12:30 pm (October – May). EcoAdventure Tours are also offered throughout the year for an additional fee. For more information on the Deering Estate's educational and cultural programs, please visit www.deeringestate.org.

About the Archaeological Society of Southern Florida
The Archaeological Society of Southern Florida (ASSF) was established in 1949. The ASSF operates as a non-profit, volunteer organization which acts as a support mechanism for the office of the Miami-Dade County Archaeologist, serves as a focal point for local archaeology enthusiasts and professionals in the field, and helps to promote knowledge and appreciation of native archaeological and historical sites in the South Florida area.