Digging Miami

Unearthing the rich 11,000-year human heritage of the Miami area



The

pace of change of Miami since its incorporation in 1896 is staggering. The

seaside land that once was home to several thousand Tequesta is now congested

with roads and millions of people while skyscrapers and artificial lights

dominate the landscape. Ironically, Miami's development both continually erases

monuments and traces of Indigenous people and historic pioneers yet also leads

to the discovery of archaeological treasures that have lain undiscovered for

centuries.



In Digging Miami, Robert Carr

traces the rich 11,000-year human heritage of the Miami area from the time of

its first inhabitants through the arrival of European settlers and up to the

early twentieth century. Carr was Dade County's first archaeologist, later

historic preservation director, and held the position at a time when

redevelopment efforts unearthed dozens of impressive archaeological sites,

including the Cutler Site, discovered in 1985, and the Miami Circle, found in

1998. Digging Miami presents

a unique anatomy of this fascinating city, dispelling the myth that its history

is merely a century old.

This comprehensive synthesis of South Florida's archaeological record will

astonish readers with the depth of information available throughout an area

barely above sea level. Likewise, many will be surprised to learn that modern

builders, before beginning construction, must first look for signs of ancient

peoples' lives, and this search has led to the discovery of over one hundred

sites within the county in recent years. In the end, we are left with the

realization that Miami is more than the dream of entrepreneurs to create a

tourist mecca built on top of dredged rock and sand; it is a fascinating,

vibrant spot that has drawn humans to its shores for unimaginable years.