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Coastal Peoples of 19th-Century Sarasota Pass:
Teaching Archaeology and the Environment of
Sarasota Bay and the Manatee River for School Children
The New College Public Archaeology Lab (NCPAL) offers a EdExploreSRQ.com exploration containing three components: 1) the history of the greater Sarasota region focused on the area where the Manatee River enters Tampa Bay and connects with Sarasota Bay and including all of the Sarasota Bay watershed region, 2) exposure to the techniques of archaeological investigations including excavation and archaeological analysis and interpretation, and 3) recognition of the social (human) uses of the Sarasota Bay watershed over the last few centuries.
NCPAL, which opened in October 2010, is an addition to the Sarasota educational community. One of NCPAL goals is to connect local classrooms with college-level resources and aspiring undergraduate anthropologists trained in archaeology and historic preservation, public outreach, and ethnographic studies. The public archaeology at NCPAL is civic engagement – working on the past to make a difference in the present and to help individuals envision themselves as part of a larger social fabric with responsibilities for stewardship of heritage. The exploration is held at the New College of Florida campus, at NCPAL - details can be found at http://edexploresrq.com
The activities for Coastal Peoples of 19th-Century Sarasota Pass employ anthropological skills of observation/description and archaeological approaches to a sense of place based on the environment and history of Sarasota Bay. With its focus on regional heritage for learning experiences, active research programs, and storehouse of scholarship for Sarasota and Manatee counties, NCPAL offers a source of information and an array of research approaches for history fair projects and many science fair projects.
Why Sarasota Pass? Today known as Anna Maria Sound, the waters connect the Manatee River and Sarasota Bay. The focus of the explore is the archaeology that reveals the lives of Cuban fishermen, maroons, Seminoles, and Anglo-American pioneers on the shores of the river and bay.
Bring the EdExplore to your Classrooms: Two Histories
I. The Cuban Fishing Industry Ranchos
From the late 18th century through the mid-19th century, fishermen from Cuba set up camps on the shores of the Florida Gulf Coast, including Sarasota Bay, to fish its mullet, pompano, sea trout, red drum, sharks, and other marine resources. Known as the rancho fishing industry, Cuban fishermen sailed between Havana and the Florida Gulf Coast, with the industry expanding during British rule (1763-1783) and ending during the Second Seminole War (1835-1842). Researchers using archaeology and archival research are retrieving this important chapter in the history of the region.
A Rancho Racing Game
Download the Rancho Racing Game here
A Role Playing Rancho Game
Download the Role Playing Rancho Game (English version) here
Download the Role Playing Rancho Game (Spanish version) here
There are two Post-Explores for Teachers:
Visit Places of History around Sarasota Bay
II. The Maroon Community on the Manatee River
One of the least known but most exciting histories in the region is the early 19th century community of maroons (people who escaped slavery to live in freedom). Looking for Angola is the research project seeking the remains of Angola, brought to life by Newspaper in Education Tabloids
The four tabloids are available for download at http://sarasotaheraldtribune.fl.newsmemory.com/ee/sarasotaheraldtribune/ssindex_nie_angola.php
Primary documents relating to the Angola saga are available at
Virtual Worlds for the Maroon Landscape on the Manatee River and Apalachicola River - http://tragedyandsurvival.timesifters.org/vrlandscapes/
Pre-Explore - the Maroon Landscapes of 19th century Gulf Coast Florida
The Explore - Maroon Landscapes of early 19th century Gulf Coast Florida
Post-Explore - background on the freedom-seeking people: http://tragedyandsurvival.timesifters.org/
For more information on the materials for 19th-century Sarasota Pass, please contact
Uzi Baram at Baram@ncf.edu or through
Division of Social Sciences
New College of Florida
5800 Bay Shore Road
Sarasota FL 34234.
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