Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Crystal River Archaeological State Park

A few miles west of Crystal River, Florida is Crystal River Archaeological State Park, which is located along, as you might guess, the actual Crystal River.  The site contains a set of six mounds that were constructed  by Native Americans somewhere between 300 and 600 AD.  The park includes a small visitor center, but it wasn't open.  A short paved path takes you to this nearby mound.

Another path leads to another mound, behind a few trees with hanging moss.

The largest mound is called Temple Mound, which includes the modern additions of a stairway and a platform.

From the top of Temple Mound, you can see Crystal River.

On the way to Crystal River, I stopped in Clermont and took his shot of the Florida Citrus Tower.  It sticks up from a much lower structure.

Florida has become the latest state in which I've visited mounds built by Native Americans.  To learn more, besides the above link to the park's site, go to Explore Southern History, Lost Worlds, Trail Of Florida's Indian Heritage and SAH Archipedia.

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