Miami Circle

Miami Circle is an archaeological site in Brickell, Miami, where traces of a pre-Columbian settlement are preserved in the limestone bedrock. The site is now maintained as a small park with panels explaining the shape and meaning of the carvings protected below the surface.

Excavations during the demolition of a hotel in 1998 uncovered traces of a village inhabited around 2000 years ago. The discovery was designated a national landmark in 2009 and saved from destruction by development.

The holes in the limestone mark what was likely a structure built by the Tequesta, a people who lived along Biscayne Bay long before European contact. The circle suggests that this spot held special meaning for the early inhabitants of South Florida, either as a gathering place or ceremonial center.

The park is located on Brickell Avenue in downtown Miami and is freely accessible. The site itself remains covered for protection, but the panels on display give an overview of the excavations and what was found beneath.

Authorities and private donors raised over 26 million dollars to purchase the site and prevent its demolition. The formation is now deliberately kept buried to protect the fragile limestone from weathering.

Location: Miami

GPS coordinates: 25.76947,-80.18896

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29