Boardwalk Talk: UNF Excavations at Sarabay

The Beaches Museum will host a Boardwalk Talk of “UNF Excavations at Sarabay: Indigenous life in a Mocama (Timucua) Town” at 6:30 p.m.

Building on excavations first conducted in 1998-99, the University of North Florida (UNF) recently completed a 4-year (2020-23) excavation of the Mocama town of Sarabay. Located on Big Talbot Island, this sixteenth century Timucua town was mentioned in early French and Spanish accounts. In addition to more than 15,000 Indigenous pottery sherds, UNF students have recovered a wide range of artifacts, including Spanish ceramics and items depicting religious imagery. Among the most tantalizing finds is the outline of a large Indigenous building, perhaps the community council house, dating to ca. 1580-1620s. This presentation provides a very up-to-date overview of the Mocama and the town of Sarabay.

Keith Ashley is an archaeologist and associate professor of Anthropology at the University of North Florida. His current research focuses on the Indigenous peoples and histories of southeastern North America, particularly Florida. He is actively involved in archaeological excavations with UNF students throughout northeastern Florida.

The Boardwalk Talk is free to Museum members with a suggested $5 donation for non-members. Space is limited and registration is encouraged.