Fisherman's Key Archeological Excavation

Each key has its own story as unique as a fingerprint, but one example of a long-occupied site that shines a light on what life was like before reams of laws and overlords is Fisherman Key near Sanibel Island. Fisherman’s Key, Useppa and Estero islands were significant ranchos among others stretching to Tampa Bay. These were more than great fishing spots. They were where races — Spanish Cubans, Seminole, runaway slaves and perhaps Calusa — melded in the earliest form of America’s melting pot. They would be called Spanish Indians. And it happened right here, while the territory was overseen by distance powers: Spain, Great Britain, then Spain again, which turned the peninsula over to the United States in 1845.

The artficarts include turn of the century pottery, glassware and even some pirate booty! (News-Press)