Miami Circle
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The Miami Circle at Brickell Point Site
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Miami Circle Park, 7 March 2011
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| Location | Miami, Florida |
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| Coordinates | 25°46′10.0914″N 80°11′20.2596″W / 25.769469833°N 80.188961000°WCoordinates: 25°46′10.0914″N 80°11′20.2596″W / 25.769469833°N 80.188961000°W |
| Built | 500 B.C. - A.D. 900 |
| NRHP Reference # | 01001534 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | February 5, 2002 |
| Designated NHL | January 16, 2009 |
The Miami Circle, also known as The Miami River Circle, Brickell Point, or The Miami Circle at Brickell Point Site, is an archaeological site in Downtown Miami, Florida. It consists of a perfect circle measuring 38 feet (11.5m) of 600 postmolds that contain 24 holes or basins cut into the limestone bedrock, on a coastal spit of land, surrounded by a large number of other 'minor' holes. It is the only known evidence of a prehistoric permanent structure cut into the bedrock in the Eastern United States, and considerably predates other known permanent settlements on the East Coast. It is believed to have been the location of a structure, built by the Tequesta (also Tekesta) Indians, in what was possibly their capital. Discovered in 1998, the site is believed to be somewhere between 1700 and 2000 years old. Some scholars have questioned both its age and its authenticity.
HistoryMiami, then known as the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, signed a 44-year lease of the site in March 2008, with plans to offer tours beginning in Spring 2009.
On February 5, 2002, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was declared a National Historic Landmark on January 16, 2009.
On February 3, 2014, the Miami Herald reported additional postholes had been excavated in Downtown Miami, further indicating presence of ancient habitation.
The site of 401 Brickell Avenue, named after William Brickell, co-founder of Miami in the 1870s, held an apartment complex until 1998. Property developer Michael Baumann purchased the site for $8.5 million to build a luxury condominium, and in July 1998 tore down the standing apartment complex. According to City of Miami historic preservation code requirements, he was obliged to commission a routine archaeological field survey of the site prior to commencement of building, but this didn't occur until Bob Carr, then Director of the Miami-Dade County Historic Preservation Division, pressed the issue with the City and Baumann. John Ricisak of the Miami-Dade Historic Preservation Division, along with a host of volunteers and employees of the Archaeological & Historical Conservancy, conducted the salvage excavation of the site with oversight by Bob Carr.
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