Archaeological History Unearthed On Ft. Lauderdale Beach
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) -- A bit of South Florida history has been unearthed along Fort Lauderdale beach. Thursday afternoon, renowned archaeologist Bob Carr showed off some of the historic artifacts which were discovered in early May while construction crews were digging a trench as part of a $3.1 million improvement project at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park along A1A.
An archaeologist who had been on site since the beginning of the project discovered about 100 artifacts including musket balls, lead slag from the manufacture of musket balls, military buttons (including army and navy) and a kaolin pipe bowl.
According to Carr, the artifacts are from a pre-civil war military fort.
Carr says ten subsurface features were also found including several nineteenth century cooking pits and one trash pit. Materials recovered from the trash pits include sea turtle and fish bones, iron nails and broken plates.
The site where the discoveries where found is the same location of Fort Lauderdale's "Third Fort." Experts say the artifacts now prove the location of the fort.
"We really didn't expect to necessarily find anything because this park has been so developed over the last 50 and 60 years," said Carr.
They have not found any evidence of a fort stockade or structure. In addition, they have not found any gold coins and discourage anyone from bringing metal detectors to the site in an effort to collect artifacts on their own.
Historians say there was a small army post called "Fort Lauderdale" near this location during the Second Seminole War, between 1838 and 1842.
A few civilians lived near the New River early in the 19th century but the Indians drove them out in the beginning of the Second Seminole War. The army moved in until the war ended in 1842.
Archaeologist Bob Carr also worked on the Miami River Circle site.
"Many are obviously military artifacts from soldiers as well as sailors who where stationed here," said Carr.
Swimmer and beachgoers were excited to learn history was unearthed from their beach.
"I'm not surprised at all," said Marc Thompson. "It makes me feel good."
Experts say they expect to find more artifacts. Archeologists will remain on the scene to monitor excavations.
"A lot of south Floridians who are newcomers to the area have no idea what a colorful past our community has," said Historian Susan Gillis. "In fact Fort Lauderdale was in fact a fort."
The city is asking the public to stay away from the construction site. If anyone is caught inside the site, the city says they will be arrested.
It's not clear how much the finds are worth or where they will be displayed.
