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Long
before Columbus sailed the oceans and long before
even the birth of Christ, ancient man walked
these prehistoric lands in Polk County, Florida.
Crooked Pine Ranch was once home to a few of
these ancient Aboriginal Indian tribes.
Florida
was inhabited by numerous Aboriginal Indian
tribes, each with an area and language of it's
own. Early explorers spoke of the Appalachess,
Aise, Calusa, Timacua, Pegests, and others and
it is these people who antedated the Seminole
by many centuries. One by one they arose from
the shadows of time, flourished for awhile,
then passed into oblivion leaving almost no
trace of themselves.
The
Seminole is not classed as Aboriginal, being
a later arrival. These Aboriginal Indians flourished
during the pre-Colombian times and up into the
period of early Spanish occupation.
In
Central Florida, we are perhaps more familiar
with two of these ancient tribes and their history,
the Calusa (to the South) and the Timucua (North
to Central Florida).
Many
of the primitive races of Florida, generally
established their homes and communities along
some navigable stream or tributary. Crooked
Pine Ranch shows evidence of ancient streams
snaking their way thorough it's Northern and
Western regions and a bounty of artifacts in
perfect condition have been found all throughout
the ranch.
In
the short time our family has been at Crooked
Pine Ranch, we have found over a dozen projectile
points, scrapers, and similar items. It is not
uncommon to unearth an ancient Indian artifact
while gardening or digging through mounds of
soil.
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