Dig into archaeology of Nature Coast

Researchers say inhabitants today have distanced themselves throughout time from nature and historic culture. With March being Archaeology Month, Crystal River Preserve State Park is hosting a program to educate the public on the beginning of time for the United States and the Nature Coast all the way up through the historic contact period. 

Beginning at 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at the Crystal River Preserve State Park headquarters auditorium, Gary D. Ellis, director of the Gulf Archaeology Research Institute, will bring the past to the present with a two-hour comprehensive overview.

“What I try to do as part of director of Gulf Archaeology Research Institute is provide public programming to reintroduce the public to the nature and extent of the prehistoric and historic cultural resources along the Nature Coast, specifically in Citrus County,” Ellis said.

He explained if time allows, he will launch into the initial pioneering of the region and cover all the way through the Seminole Wars. Furthermore, he said Citrus County is the ideal location for such research and presentation.

“We have everything here from the earliest people in the new world all the way to the development of complex and sophisticated Native American cultures,” Ellis said. “The context over time is almost overwhelming. Every cultural stage seems to have hunter and gatherer all the way up to linked and stratified societies with formal leadership. It is really cool.”

Ellis will discuss archaeological research along the Nature Coast and Citrus County.

“I wind up with what we have here and what is happening to it from a human and natural impact,” Ellis said. “Also I mention what everyday citizens can do to help provide protection and conservation of these resources. It is what every person’s role is in the protection of our shared heritage.”

For information, call Ellis at 352-464-4274 or email him at gari.arch@gmail.com.

Contact Chronicle reporter Eryn Worthington at 352-563-5660, ext. 1334, or eworthington@chronicleonline.com. 

IF YOU GO

* TIME: 3 p.m.

* DATE: Tuesday, March 10.

* PLACE: Crystal River Preserve State Park.

* PRESENTER: Gary D. Ellis, director of Gulf Archaeology Research Institute.