Mound House

Theresa Schober is the site's Director of Cultural Resources and one of the archaeologists who was involved in the original dig.  I recently asked Theresa if the archaeologists had found any human remains in the shell mound and she stated that the mounds were not burial mounds, but she did tell me that human teeth and pottery shards had been found in different levels of the excavation.   

The mound was not a strategic defensive site due to its location.  The defensive site for the Calusa would have been Mound Key Archaeological State Park, which is located southeast of the site in Estero Bay.  The state park, completely surrounded by water, is comprised of shell mounds that rise up over 30 feet above the bay waters.  Ponce de Leon had seen the shell mounds from his ship in the Gulf during his initial voyage in 1513.

Looking across the back bay, you can see the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve which is east of the site.  The preserve which comprises the northern half of Estero Bay, was dedicated in December 1966, as the state's first official Aquatic Preserve.  The view today hasn't changed for over two thousand years.

Today, Mound House is a work in progress.  The archaeological excavation is open so visitors can walk inside and see the actual internal portion of the shell mound.  Between the layers, you can see horse conchs, oyster shells, and shards of grey pottery protruding from the walls.  The structure is fully enclosed and climate controlled to preserve the interior of the mound.

Mound House is currently an active cultural and environmental learning center where one can walk the grounds and see what plants the Calusa used as food as well as visit the interior of the mound.

Where:  Mound House is located at 289 Connecticut Street, Fort Myers Beach, Florida.  Hours and additional information can be found on their website at www.moundhouse.org or by calling 239-765-0865