This is the only prehistoric stone ring found in North America: What scientists know about the ‘Miami Circle’
Discovered in 1998, the “Brickell Point Site” is one of the natural wonders of Miami.
The Miami Circle at Brickell Point is a hugely important archaeological site located at the mouth of the Miami River in downtown Miami, Florida, but a lot of what it means still remains a secret to science.
Property developer Michael Bauman purchased a plot of land in downtown Miami in 1998 with the idea of demolishing a 1950-era apartment complex and putting in its place a luxury condominium.
However, once the routine excavation was underway, Bauman got an unexpected call to come down to the site: archaeologist Dr. Robert S. Carr and his team had uncovered a series of holes and basins cut into a layer of Oolitic limestone bedrock, forming a perfect circle 38 feet in diameter. The building work was immediately halted.
What is the ‘Miami Circle’?
Once unearthed, the plot of land was breath-taking: twenty-four of the largest holes comprised a perfect circle, 38 feet (12 m) in diameter, with radiocarbon dating of charcoal samples suggesting the site is between 1,800 and 2,000 years old.
These dates indicate its use by the Tequesta people, a Native American tribe that inhabited the region from around 500 BCE until the 18th century. MiamiCircle.org suggests that “human occupation of the site may date to well over two thousands years ago.”
Artefacts recovered from the site include stone tools resembling those from the Fort Center site, basaltic celts likely sourced from the Macon, Georgia area, and pumice artefacts traced to the Gulf Coast of Mexico: findings that heavily suggest the Tequesta engaged in extensive trade networks.
Shell tools made primarily from queen or pink conch have also been found at the curious site, with woodworking activities, canoe construction, thought to be their purpose. Animal remains, including marine fish, turtles, and a complete shark skeleton, point to a diet rich in local resources and a huge reliance on the natural world around them, which was understandably a lot different from the surrounding of today.
The site’s discovery sparked public interest and led to preservation efforts. In 1999, Miami-Dade County purchased the property for $26.7 million, with support from the State of Florida.
The Miami Circle was also designated a National Historic Landmark in 2009. Today, it is a public park open 24 hours yet the actual circle remains buried for reasons of protection. However, the site is a must-see for tourists and visitors are encouraged to learn about its significance for not just Miami, but anthropology as a whole.
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