Safety Harbor site
{{short description|Archaeological site in Florida, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NRHP
| name = Safety Harbor site
| nrhp_type = nhl
| image = Safety Harbor Site top-down 01.jpg
| caption = Looking down from the top of the site
| locmapin = Florida#USA
| location = Safety Harbor, Florida
| coordinates = {{coord|28|00|32|N|82|40|39|W|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|2|acre|ha}}
| built =
| designated_nrhp_type = July 19, 1964[http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=168&ResourceType=Site Safety Harbor Site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090502192301/http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl/detail.cfm?ResourceId=168&ResourceType=Site |date=2009-05-02 }} at [http://tps.cr.nps.gov/nhl National Historic Landmarks Program]
| added = October 15, 1966
| refnum = 66000270{{NRISref|version=2010a}}
}}
{{commons}}
The Safety Harbor site is an archaeological site in Philippe Park at 2525 Philippe Parkway in Safety Harbor, Florida, United States.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/11_Philippe.htm|title=Pinellas County, Florida, Park and Conservation Resources - Philippe Park|website=www.pinellascounty.org|access-date=2016-09-05}} It is the type site for the Safety Harbor culture,{{cite book|last=Milanich|first=Jerald T.|title=Archaeology of Precolumbian Florida|year=1994|publisher=University Press of Florida|location=Gainesville, Florida|isbn=0-8130-1273-2|edition=Paperback|page=389}} and includes the largest remaining mound in the Tampa Bay area.[http://www.sptimes.com/2006/09/29/Northpinellas/The_sacred_hill_of_Ph.shtml The sacred hill of Philippi Park] It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964.
Description
The Safety Harbor site is a major feature of Philippe Park. The site consists of the large temple mound, one smaller burial mound and two shell middens. The temple mound is roughly circular, {{convert|150|ft|m}} in diameter and {{convert|20|ft|m}} in height, with a summit plateau measuring about {{convert|100|x|50|ft|m}}. It is built out of a series layers, alternating shells and sand. Archaeologists have uncovered features interpreted as post holes in the summit area, suggestive that a structure once stood there, either a residence or temple structure. There are also layers of clay, which are thought to represent levels that may have also been used in some way.{{cite web|url={{NHLS url|66000270}}|title=Updated NHL nomination for Safety Harbor site (1981)|publisher=National Park Service|accessdate=2018-01-20}}
The site is open to visitors during the daylight hours. In addition to the mounds, the park has walking paths, picnic areas, a boat ramp, fishing, and scenic views.[http://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/safetyharbor.html Safety Harbor Mounds and Philippi Park]
Archaeological significance
The site was documented as being occupied by early Spanish explorers of the region, who described it as the capital city of the Tocobaga people. Contact with these explorers probably introduced European diseases, which decimated the population and led to the site's abandonment, probably by 1700. It was first brought to the attention of archaeologists as early as 1880, but the first formal excavations took place only in 1929. Twentieth-century excavations, both sanctioned and illegal, resulted in the complete excavation of a burial mound which stood nearby. The county acquired the property in 1948, and has conducted investigations into the site since then.
The site is the southernmost in Florida that exhibits the influence of Mississippian culture. Pottery finds at the site share characteristics with the contemporaneous Fort Walton culture.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140927014957/http://www.flheritage.com/facts/reports/places/index.cfm?fuseaction=ListAreas&county=Pinellas Pinellas County listings] at [http://www.flheritage.com Florida's Office of Cultural and Historical Programs]
- [http://www.pinellascounty.org/virtual_tours/philippe_indianmound.htm Indian Mound 360° View]
{{Clear}}
{{Indigenous peoples of Pre-Columbian Florida}}
{{Pre-Columbian North America}}
{{National Register of Historic Places in Florida}}
Category:Archaeological type sites
Category:Archaeological sites on the National Register of Historic Places in Florida
Category:National Historic Landmarks in Florida
Category:National Register of Historic Places in Pinellas County, Florida
Category:Native American history of Florida
Category:Florida Native American Heritage Trail