A Point in Prehistory

On January 23, 1995, during an archaeological investigation before a construction project at Wakulla Springs State Park, state archaeologist Calvin Jones uncovered a rare PaleoIndian knife blade, an unusual chert tool called a Simpson preform that was probably crafted by people living near the spring 10,000 to 12,000 years ago and may have been used for skinning mastodon and bison. Its size makes it especially rare, and intact examples are found very seldom. Although whether it was lost, stored for later use, or dropped in haste will never be known, the find confirms that human communities flourished at Wakulla Springs for thousands of years, building a village near the water source, hunting large animals nearby, and burying their dead with ceremony. Other major spring sites in Florida, including Ichetucknee Springs, Rainbow Springs, De Leon Springs, and Blue Spring, may also yield valuable information about Florida's first people. During his career with the State of Florida, Calvin Jones, who lived from 1938 to 1998, made some of the most important discoveries of human habitation in Florida and became known as the "people's archaeologist" for his enthusiasm in sharing his knowledge and love of the past.

Florida · United States