NAPLES, FLORIDA—A canal that was probably used as a shortcut for transporting goods by the Calusa has been dated to between 800 and 1100 A.D. Robert Carr, executive director of the Archaeological and Historical Conservancy, said that the canal is part of a complex web of canals in southern Florida. This section of the canal was found with ground-penetrating radar in the center of modern Naples. “These canals are the only transportation canals in North America outside of Mexico. So, in that sense they are a major engineering marvel that indigenous people have constructed,” he told WGCU.
http://www.archaeology.org/news/2129-14 ... lusa-canal
Florida Canal
Moderators: MichelleH, Minimalist, JPeters
Re: Florida Canal
This is part of a little realized trade route through inland Florida.
Once you get to the Caloosahatchee River you can go all the way to Lake Okeechobee.
(There are remains of canals with locks around rapids on the Caloosahatchee.)
Once in Okeechobee you have access to the whole chain of interconnected lakes in an inland band that can take you all the way to Jacksonville.
While the Gulf is relatively smooth and quiet for off shore boating the Atlantic can be somewhat wild and unpredictable.
A protected and smooth water route to the east coast would be much preferred.
The Calusa Indians seem to have been in control of most of the south west coast of Florida.
They would have been the major middlemen for the waterborne Gulf to Atlantic trade.
To avoid them would mean a much further north landing with a overland trek across a hot and dry area.
Once you get to the Caloosahatchee River you can go all the way to Lake Okeechobee.
(There are remains of canals with locks around rapids on the Caloosahatchee.)
Once in Okeechobee you have access to the whole chain of interconnected lakes in an inland band that can take you all the way to Jacksonville.
While the Gulf is relatively smooth and quiet for off shore boating the Atlantic can be somewhat wild and unpredictable.
A protected and smooth water route to the east coast would be much preferred.
The Calusa Indians seem to have been in control of most of the south west coast of Florida.
They would have been the major middlemen for the waterborne Gulf to Atlantic trade.
To avoid them would mean a much further north landing with a overland trek across a hot and dry area.
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Minimalist
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Re: Florida Canal
Except during hurricane season...but they would have known when that was, of course.While the Gulf is relatively smooth and quiet for off shore boating
Something is wrong here. War, disease, death, destruction, hunger, filth, poverty, torture, crime, corruption, and the Ice Capades. Something is definitely wrong. This is not good work. If this is the best God can do, I am not impressed.
-- George Carlin
-- George Carlin
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E.P. Grondine
Re: Florida Canal
Minimalist wrote:Except during hurricane season...but they would have known when that was, of course.While the Gulf is relatively smooth and quiet for off shore boating
Hi min -
You'd probably enjoy visiting Key Marco.
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Minimalist
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- Location: Arizona
Re: Florida Canal
Too many gun nuts in Florida!
Something is wrong here. War, disease, death, destruction, hunger, filth, poverty, torture, crime, corruption, and the Ice Capades. Something is definitely wrong. This is not good work. If this is the best God can do, I am not impressed.
-- George Carlin
-- George Carlin
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E.P. Grondine
Re: Florida Canal
Not as many as in the Middle East.Minimalist wrote:Too many gun nuts in Florida!
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Minimalist
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- Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2005 1:09 pm
- Location: Arizona
Re: Florida Canal
I'm even less likely to go there.
Something is wrong here. War, disease, death, destruction, hunger, filth, poverty, torture, crime, corruption, and the Ice Capades. Something is definitely wrong. This is not good work. If this is the best God can do, I am not impressed.
-- George Carlin
-- George Carlin