Property
developer Michael Bauman was in for a real surprise when he purchased a
plot of land in downtown Miami in 1998. Bauman's plans for the land
were seemingly simple: demolish a 1950-era apartment complex and build a
luxury condominium in its place.
During a routine
archaeological survey of the site, however, hundreds of mysterious holes
were discovered in a layer of Oolitic limestone bedrock and Bauman's
development plans immediately came to a halt. Through further
investigation, twenty-four of the largest holes comprised a perfect
circle, 38 feet (12 m) in diameter, and excavation results found a
variety of artifacts ranging from human teeth to ancient tools.
Included in the artifacts were pieces of burnt wood which, after being
tested for radiocarbon dating, are believed to be 1800-2000 years old.
To date, Miami Circle is the only known evidence in the United States of
a prehistoric structure built into bedrock. Evidence from this
mysterious prehistoric "footprint" predates other known settlements
along the East Coast.
The site is believed to have once been
occupied by the Tequesta Indians, a local tribe whose known tools
matched some of the shark tooth-related artifacts found during
excavation. Theorists have suggested that the holes were structural
postholes or part of the foundation for a building. Some believe the
building was used for ceremonial purposes, as animal bones and unused
tools appeared to be offerings.
Among these tools were two
axe-heads made from basalt, a hard stone that is not indigenous to
Florida. The finding of these tools contradicts the theory that the site
was occupied by the Tequesta, however, as the volcanic rock is believed
to have been from a location in Macon, Georgia - some 600 miles (970
km) away from the site.
The mysterious origin of the site has
led to its nickname as "America's Stonehenge", (though there are a
number of sites nicknamed this) and some critics and conspiracy
theorists have offered alternative theories. Aliens, Mayans and septic
tanks are among some of the suggested origins for the holes.
The
State of Florida eventually purchased the land from Baumann after a
series of high-profile disputes between Native American groups,
contractors, and historic preservation committees. Miami Circle,
otherwise known as Brickell Point or the Miami River Circle, was
declared a National Historic Landmark in early 2009 and is currently
under a 44-year lease agreement with the Historical Museum of Southern
Florida. Visitors interested in the history of the Miami Circle can view
artifacts on display through the museum's permanent exhibition: "First
Arrivals: The Archaeology of Southern Florida."