Seasonality, Labor Organization, and Monumental Constructions: An Otolith Study from Florida’s Crystal River Site (8CI1) and Roberts Island Shell Mound Complex (8CI40 and 41)

• Main Author: Southard, Elizabeth Anne
• Format: Thesis
• Language: unknown
• Published: Digital Commons @ University of South Florida 2021
• Subjects: Archaeology; Collective Work Events; Feasting; Mound Building; Season of Capture; Woodland Period; History of Art; Architecture; and Archaeology; Red drum; Sciaenops ocellatus
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/8870; https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/context/etd/article/10067/viewcontent/Southard_usf_0206M_16570.pdf

In recent decades, archaeological research has provided evidence that some mounds in the southeastern United States were constructed in short episodes. A large work force would have been required to accomplish these monumental projects. Shell mounds, in particular, provide an opportune type of architecture to investigate whether seasonal aggregations of laborers gathered at sites to engage in large-scale work projects because these mounds are constructed of aquatic resources that leave signatures for what time of the year they were caught or harvested. This study investigates whether the residents of the Crystal River site (8CI1) and Roberts Island (8CI40 and 41) on Florida's Gulf Coast were participating in seasonal deposition events involving the construction of monumental architecture and if feasting acted as a mechanism to attract the needed labor force. Marginal increment analysis is performed on red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) and spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus) to determine what time of year these fishes were and eventually deposited in midden and mound contexts.