Ancient Canal System Discovered In Florida

"Archaeologists held a press conference at the Ortona Indian Mound Park to announce their finds. Included was an elaborate seven-mile-long canal excavated by Indians now extinct, who lived and farmed in the area. Also discovered was a 450-foot long pond in the shape of a sacred mace-like baton, a holy symbol for many Native Americans. Robert Carr, Executive Director of the Archaeological and Historical Conservancy in Miami, estimates that hundreds of Native Americans lived in the area and used handmade tools of wood and shell to dig out millions of yards of sand and soil. The pond discovery almost never happened, Carr said. Crews building a road in the area almost destroyed it before its significance was discovered."