The Randell Research Center (RRC) is an interdisciplinary program of the Florida Museum of Natural History dedicated to the study, teaching, and conservation of Florida’s cultural and natural heritage, including the archaeology, history, ecology, and biodiversity of coastal southwest Florida. Our motto is, “As we learn, we teach.”
Situated on the scenic western shore of historic Pine Island, along the southwest Gulf coast of Florida, the Center manages the Pineland archaeological site and related Calusa Heritage Trail. The heritage site encompasses nearly 70 acres, including a massive shell mound site extending across more than 100 acres from the mangrove coastline and a diversity of conservation habitats.
The Calusa were once the most powerful people in all of south Florida. For many centuries, they accumulated huge shell mounds, engineered canals, and sustained tens of thousands of people from the fish and shellfish found in the rich estuaries west and south of Fort Myers. All that is left of their culture today is a dwindling number of shell mound sites dotting the estuarine landscape between Charlotte Harbor and the Ten Thousand Islands region of the Everglades.
Visitors can tour this internationally significant site and learn about Calusa culture and their environment on the Calusa Heritage Trail.
Video by: Into Nature Films / Videographer: Jennifer Brown
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