Abstract:
This research describes two Malabar II Period sites (AD 750 – 1565): Hunter’s Camp (8Br2508) and Palm Hammock (8Br2509) which were excavated in the Fox Lake Sanctuary in Brevard County, Florida. Faunal assemblages recovered from general excavation units and features were examined to learn more about Malabar Period subsistence. Sampling methods utilized at the site allowed for a more complete understanding of subsistence strategies. The main objectives of this study are to determine the seasonality of the sites and to compare the subsistence strategies between the two sites by determining species diversity, the relative abundance of marine versus freshwater species, and aquatic versus terrestrial species. The data collected suggests a winter and summer occupation of the Hunter’s Camp and Palm Hammock sites. In addition, the data collected indicates that the occupants living at these sites incorporated turtle, marine fish, freshwater fish, and shellfish into their subsistence economy, almost to the exclusion of all other species.
