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.

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.