Saturday, April 26
Happy glorious Saturday morning
Sarasota in the spring is as beautiful as it gets: slight breezes cool the skin, as the sun warms it.
Yesterday, I had a great day~ one of those days where eye candy meets brain candy.
I went to Historic Spanish Point outdoor museum, where I am a board member. I have been on the magnificent 30 acre site on little Sarasota Bay hundreds of times. I actually give tours, and love it. It is the perfect marriage between being a teacher and tour guide. That pretty much defines me. So, it was not a unique experience for me. And yet- exceptional.
There were 8 girlfriends in our group, led by another board member and Sarasota County archeology. He is a darling 30 year old kid, whose love of history is contagious. His knowledge of things that before visiting Historic Spanish Point would have never been a subject of interest: is fascinating to watch as curiosities are awakened.
Deciding to do a self guided walking tour of Historic Spanish Point is to feed the eye candy. In order to truly awaken that mind candy: one must take a tour with a guide. It is only then that what appears to be simply a bunch of broken shells: becomes the fabric to interpret 1000 years of human history. This museum has the only Indian midden where you can walk inside. And you say "huh"?
That doesn't sound interesting in the least to me. What is an indian midden? Why do I care? An indian midden is basically the refuge left by the Indians who lived on the site 5,000 years ago. You walk inside a 15 ft. midden: and can witness 1,000 years of history. There is evidence of the tools they used. Shells of course. If I looked at the pile, I would see just crumpled shells. An expert can see a smorgasbord of information: the types of tools, where the hearths were, what the shapes of the houses were by understanding the piling markings.
On the site, there is a 5,000 year old archaic indian ring. What is that? It is simply a dip in the ground, with a large ring of dirt circle. There is one (of two in North America) open to the public . So what? Who cares about a dip in the ground? It shows us that 5,000 years ago- It shows that they were social people who used this circle for social gatherings. If the ring is closed: that means in this ancient society-that everyone was equal . If the ring is shaped like a horseshoe, that indicates that the most powerful is opposite the open part of the ring. There, archeologists have found a greater abundance of offerings hidden …. as shallow as 7 inches under the ground.
There is a palm tree on a tiny hump of ground. That hump looks like landscaping. Yet, it is the site of a burial ground from 100 AD (ish). Half of the burial mound was excavated in 1959 and it was found to have over 420 indians buried- in a crouching position - head up! There were a few dogs and an alligator. At that time, it was also discovered that syphlis existed in some of the bones- assuaging the concept that Europeans brought that disease to North America.
It was a beautiful day. Bougainvillea blossoming in purples and magenta. The Bay was glistening- blindingly so. Casey key island in the background. A few folks were kayaking. Splendid. Simple, Magnificent. Stellar.
More later about Historic Spanish Point….. Sunset over the bay with the group of 8 ladies and the archeologist, drinking wine and dining on box dinner of Honey baked ham sandwiches. Pickle and chocolate chip cookie, included. And, superb company. Ultimately…. it is about the people who surround us. Yesterday, they were loverly.
smiles for a grand Saturday
Judy
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