Little Salt Spring

Little Salt Spring: An Ancient Window into Florida's Past

Little Salt Spring, situated in North Port, Florida, is a remarkable geological formation and a vital archaeological and paleontological site. Classified as a third magnitude spring, it is a prime example of the state's karst topography, characterized by its sinkhole structure. The spring's unique environmental conditions, created by deep vents feeding oxygen-depleted groundwater, result in an anoxic zone below approximately 5 meters. This anoxic environment is crucial for the exceptional preservation of ancient human artifacts and the fossilized remains of extinct megafauna that once roamed Florida.

Discovery and Geological Significance

Initially perceived as a shallow freshwater pond, Little Salt Spring's true nature was revealed in 1959 by SCUBA divers William Royal and Eugenie Clark. They discovered it to be a genuine sinkhole extending over 200 feet deep, bearing similarities to the famous cenotes of the Yucatán Peninsula. The surface of the water lies 40 feet deep, leading to a steep central shaft that descends into an inverted cone shape. The maximum recorded depth at the outer edges is 245 feet, with notable ledges found at 16 and 27 meters below the current water level. The water level within the spring has fluctuated significantly over millennia, influenced by ancient sea levels. During periods of lower sea levels, such as 12,000 to 13,000 years ago when the ocean was over 300 feet lower, the water table in Florida, and consequently in Little Salt Spring, was also substantially lower.

Ancient Human Habitation and Discoveries

Little Salt Spring offers profound insights into ancient human presence in Florida. The site has yielded hundreds of burials dating from 5,200 to 6,800 years ago, found within the surrounding slough. As documented in other wetland burial sites, brain matter has survived in many of the skulls recovered. A particularly significant discovery was the overturned shell of an extinct giant land tortoise found on the 27-meter ledge. Evidence suggests this tortoise was cooked in its shell, with a wooden stake driven into it and signs of a fire beneath. Radiocarbon dating of the wooden stake points to 12,030 years ago, while a bone from the tortoise dates to 13,450 years ago. Although large quantities of human bones have been recovered, their collection was not always conducted under controlled archaeological conditions. The site's historical importance was recognized when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 10, 1979.