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MA/PhD Theses Abstracts of Current Students & Alumni |
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Mayo, Karen. 2003. Archaeological and Historical Investigations of Black's Island, Gulf County, Florida.
Abstract: Archaeological investigation of Black's Island in St. Joseph Bay, Gulf County, northwest Florida, was conducted for Bill Koran, the island's owner, prior to proposed development. University of South Florida archaeologists conducted the investigations in September 1999 and March 2001. The work consisted of surface inspection, shovel testing, and excavation of two formal test units. Most of the ca. 10.7-acre island is underlain by the black, prehistoric shell midden typical of the St. Joseph Bay area, containing fish and shellfish remains, especially large conch and whelk shells, as well as prehistoric Weeden Island and Fort Walton > pottery. On Black's Island this midden has become cemented to thoroughly that it is now rock. The cementing of this midden may have been caused by fire, mixing of salt and fresh water over the centuries, periodic inundation, or some human or natural chemical action. Historic use of the island resulted in standing structures such as mid-1890s foundations for a never-built lighthouse and keeper's house, a modern house, and camp facilities. Construction has been mostly confined to the southern and eastern sides where the cemented midden is not present, since it is impenetrable with conventional excavation. This thesis is an extension of preliminary work presented as a report to the Division of Historical Resources. Continued research on the geomorphology, historical background, and analysis of the faunal material recovered during the initial project resulted in the need for a more in-depth interpretation of Black's Island.
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