Turner River Site

Turner River Site is an archaeological location containing roughly thirty mounds spread across twelve hectares near Everglades National Park. The mounds contain layered deposits of shells, soil, and artifacts that reveal where residents lived and worked over centuries.

Early excavations revealed that residents gradually relocated their settlement toward the river as shell mounds grew taller. The layering of these deposits shows how the community shifted its focus over several centuries as conditions changed.

The site reveals how indigenous people adapted their daily life to a wetland environment, building settlements that changed as water levels shifted. Today visitors can observe pottery and shell remains that tell stories of how residents organized their community over centuries.

The location sits in a wetland environment, so visitors should wear sturdy footwear and bring insect protection for comfort. Guided interpretations available through the National Park Service help explain the mounds and what archaeologists have learned from the site.

Residents ingeniously constructed their living spaces on shell mounds built over shallow water and soft mud, creating platforms that stayed dry. This approach allowed people to occupy the wetland year-round despite seasonal flooding and changing water depths.