What was the Miami Circle: Letter to the Editor 1


Letter to the Editor	"What was the Miami Circle?" September 28, 1999
by Robert S. Carr

Jerald Milanich's recent article on the Miami Circle ("Much Ado About A Circle," September/October 1999) presents a well-written summary of the archaeology and public fascination for this site, but falsely raises the specter that the circle may be a modern feature--most ignobly a septic tank drain field. The septic tank theory is one of several viable hypotheses explaining the origin of the circle, and that idea was intensely explored by the project archaeologists using data from geologists, septic tank experts, and an independent panel of scholars that included two archaeologists and an historic architect.

The geological evidence for the circle's prehistoric antiquity is perhaps the most compelling and best summarized by the simple observation that the larger-cut basins creating the circle's circumference are characterized by a gray to brown patina coating much of the basin's walls. This patina is actually a recrystallized calcium carbonate soil crust that, according to geologist Hal Wanless, is found on limestone surfaces over a period of at least several centuries. This patinated limestone presents a powerful contrast to the trenches created when the Brickell Apartment buildings were built in 1950. These modern trench walls are bright and white, without any visible patina; even if the patina was created by modern sewage, why did it not stain the walls cut for the septic tank?

An excavation unit within the Circle reveals the prehistoric floor or activity area about 25 centimeters above the bedrock. (John Ricisak/Miami-Dade Historic Preservation Division) [LARGER IMAGE]

Archaeological evidence is equally compelling, including a living surface or floor within the circle about 30 centimeters above the bedrock (which may or may not be related to the circle's use) and extensive areas of midden which have no evidence of modern or historic disturbances, except where pipelines and footers intrude upon the site.

Milanich argues wisely that we should look before we leap, but we have looked and have seen enough to know that the circle is a prehistoric feature and that it is significant, being the only complete structural footprint of a Tequesta structure that has survived in Florida, quite aside from it being the only known prehistoric structural feature cut in limestone bedrock in North America. The monumental aspect of this discovery should not overshadow the scientific importance of the site's midden, which encompasses well-preserved faunal bone, botanical remains, and a myriad of ceramic, shell, and bone artifacts.

A multi-faceted research design, which includes further documentation of the septic tank system, is being formulated for the project and will be implemented when the judge's order banning entry onto the site is lifted. Milanich's skepticism, which is thus far the minority opinion of the six archaeologists who have visited the site, should not diminish public interest in acquiring this site.

The pertinent question is not the site's validity but rather, should a healthy wad of public funds be used to preserve this feature and the encompassing two acres? Millions of dollars can buy a lot of sites in north Florida or most anywhere in the United States outside of urban centers, but the Miami Circle is on some of the most expensive real estate in downtown Miami. Does a community have a right to preserve a piece of itself for such a hefty price?

The answer is yes. It is not a matter of whether you can get more bang for your buck in Iowa, it is simply that value is relative and as America's communities continue to urbanize, their quality of life in regard to maintaining and preserving green space, parks, and historic resources should not be diminished because property values are high. The same development that pumps millions of dollars into the community tax base needs to be balanced by using part of those taxes to create downtown parks and preserve heritage sites that define the community below the skyline. Miami, incorporated in 1896, has spent its first century building itself into a major trade and tourist destination by marketing its tropical climate and access to Latin America, and inadvertently destroying its archaeological sites. It has now paused to embrace a small piece of its long-ignored history.

Robert S. Carr
Miami Circle Project Director
Miami, FL

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