Notes from Central Gulf Coast Archaeological Society lecture on Calusa tribe

On Thursday, Nov. 17, I learned some new, interesting information about the Calusa tribe in a lecture, via Zoom, with the Central Gulf Coast Archaeological Society. The guest lecturer was Dr. Isabelle Holland-Lulewicz from Penn State University. The title of the lecture was “Localized Histories of Calusa Ecology and Economy.”

Her lecture focused on ways the Calusa manipulated their environment, building shell mounds, earthworks, and canals throughout Southwest Florida. I will use this information in my novel Calusa Gold when I have my Calusa prince negotiate with Aztec King Montezuma. I will use this to demonstrate some similarities between the two kingdoms.

Dr. Holland-Lulewicz also mentioned how the Calusa often ate the Burrfish. This fish contains very poisonous spikes. Someone asked if the Calusa used the Burrfish toxin as a weapon, and she “potentially yes.” This has me thinking about using the Burrfish toxin, along with sap from the Manchineel Tree, as weapons for the Calusa.