UNF Excavations at the Mocama (Timucua) Indian Village of Sarabay (Big Talbot Island)

Presentation by Keith Ashley, UNF Professor of Anthropology.

Located on Big Talbot Island, Sarabay was one of the local Mocama Indian communities mentioned by French and Spanish explorers during the 1560s. The University of North Florida (UNF) first investigated the site in 1998-99 and returned for more excavations in the fall 2020 and summer 2021. Artifacts recovered so far include thousands of fragments of indigenous pottery along with bone, shell, and stone tools. The recovery of a small collection of Spanish artifacts dates the site to AD 1580-1620.  This presentation discusses the findings of ongoing excavations at the site of Sarabay.

Bio: Keith Ashley is an archaeologist and Assistant 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.

Due to the active spread of Covid in our community we encourage everyone to wear a mask, as we will not be able to socially distance ourselves!