Additional Artifacts Identified at Chassahowitzka Springs

The District’s recent restoration project of Chassahowitzka Springs has revealed more important artifacts.

Researchers have identified two more of the artifacts found last year during the District’s sediment removal project in Chassahowitzka Springs. The items are a historic canoe paddle and ceremonial effigy, according to Southeastern Archaeological Research, Inc. (SEARCH), the firm contracted to identify and evaluate items found during the project.

Steering Paddle

The wooden paddle was identified as a late archaic period canoe paddle (BC 750 to 680). There are other representative examples of canoes from this period, but this is likely the only paddle recovered intact from the late archaic period.

Divers also found a wooden object identified as a ceremonial fin effigy of a bottlenose 

Fin effigy

dolphin that was carved during the Mississippian period about 1,300 years ago, a rare piece.

The District’s “project scope reflects their ‘above and beyond’ commitment to historic preservation, responsible management of cultural resources and genuine interest in sharing Florida’s heritage,” said SEARCH project manager Michael Arbuthnot.

Once items are indentified, they are returned to Citrus County for public display.

To see a gallery of artifacts found, visit WaterMatters.org/Artifacts.