The warm mineral springs archaeological research project: Current research and technological applications.

Abstract

Warm Mineral Springs (8S019) is a 70 m deep spring-fed sinkhole in Sarasota County, Florida. Saline anaerobic water enters the cenote at a depth of 70 meters below water surface at a temperature of 32 to 34°C. The cenote's limestone walls are draped intermittently with dripstone formation zones from 4 to 30 m below surface; additionally the underwater sediments are producing exotic tufa specimens. Archaeological deposits recovered range from Formative Stage artifacts (ethnographic present back to approximately 2500 BP), artifacts from the Archaic Stage (2500 BP to approximately 8-900 BP), and Paleo-Indian Stage materials dating back thus far to 11,000 radiocarbon years BP; the oldest human remains stratigraphically and chronologically coexist with ground sloth, saber cat, horse, camel and extant species. There are three archaeological foci: 1) the remains located on land; 2) dry-laid deposits on the 13 meter ledge; and 3) deposits in the debris cone on the bottom. Phase I of the writer's research as principal investigator was conducted as Florida State Underwater Archaeologist from 1972-83; Phase II began in 1983 and continues, funded by the Florida State Legislature. Current research is principally conducted on the debris cone 50 m below surface utilizing both scuba and surface supplied air. Technology consists of time-honored archaeological techniques, coupled with innovations when need dictates.