Crystal River in Citrus County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
A Separate Resting Place
Crystal River Archaeological State Park
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
1. A Separate Resting Place Marker
Sand Burial Mound (Mound G)
The burials located here shared little in common with those from the Main Burial Complex on the other side of the plaza. The people buried here had no elaborate grave goods, but were laid to rest with shells, bone tools, and pottery. However, radiocarbon dating suggests the Sand Burial Mound and the Main Burial Complex were in use at the same time. What could account for this difference in burial customs?
In the Sand Burial Mound, broken and undecorated pieces of pottery were found with burials, while at the Main Burial Complex highly decorated whole pots were recovered.
Is it possible different social groups are buried in the two graveyards?
Large archaeology sites like Crystal River are thought of as places where multiple groups came together and held ceremonies. What other reasons can you think of for why Crystal River's inhabitants would have separated their dead like this? Do we do something similar in our culture today?
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Undecorated Pottery Pieces
Decorated Pottery Piece
Erected by Florida Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology
this page online
Location. 28° 54.569′ N, 82° 37.688′ W. Marker is in Crystal River, Florida, in Citrus County. It can be reached from North Museum Point 0.1 miles south of West State Park Street, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located within Crystal River Archaeological State Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3400 North Museum Point, Crystal River FL 34428, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Crystal River: An Enduring Legacy (within shouting distance of this marker); Temple or Stage? (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Remembering the Dead (about 400 feet away); A Place to Call Home (about 400 feet away); Mystery in Stone (about 500 feet away); A View from the Top (about 700 feet away); Watery World (about 700 feet away); Kings Bay Park (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crystal River.
Also see . . .
1. Crystal River Archaeological State Park. (Submitted on March 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Crystal River Archaeological State Park
Photographed by Brandon D Cross
2. A Separate Resting Place Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 150 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 6, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
