Archaeologists often define prehistoric cultures based on geographical regions where sites are located. These places contain unique artifacts and other remnants that vary within and between regions and throughout a certain time.
For a period from approximately 2,500 to 1,300 years ago, the distinctive way of life represented in the archaeological record found from Tampa Bay to Charlotte Harbor is defined as the MANASOTA CULTURE.
The term comes from combining the names of the two local counties: Manatee and Sarasota.
Edson and Netty Keith built a mansion on the south side of Phillippi Creek in 1916; their estate included a midden from the Manasota period (2500-1200 BP). Excavations in 2015 confirmed the dates for the coastal dwelling peoples whose remains include plenty of shell tools.
It is easy to walk past the small rise, but beneath the grass is a rich, meaningful, gendered history of ancient peoples. Phillippi Estate Park has interpretative signs to explain the history for the Manasota-period mound and other eras across the property.
Another site with elements of the Manasota Culture
Historic Spanish Point in Osprey was occupied for thousands of years, and at one point people of the Manasota Culture lived and died there.
One of the interesting findings from the Palmer burial mound, originally excavated by Ripley and Adelaide Bullen in the 1960s, comes from Dr. Maranda Kles’ more recent bioarchaeological research. It seems that the community living at the site was matrilocal – meaning men moved to their wives’ homes.