h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Most accounts start with the arrival of Ponce de Leon in 1513, but he was very late to arrive.

Traces have been found of human habitation in Florida, at least as far back as 9,000 BCE. Spear points carved from the ivory tusks of mastodons have been found that match the points made by some of the earliest Americans in Clovis, New Mexico.

Although nothing remains to record the day to day life of these people, except for the archaeological record, they certainly seem to have adapted to the area. Spear points embedded in the skulls of now long extinct species also help to date when the paleoindians arrived in Florida.

Near the end of the last ice age the climate and land area of the peninsula were far different to what we see today. The lower sea level almost doubled the land area that now exists. Most of the early artefacts that have been found are at the bottoms of rivers in north Florida, at the time they were only small ponds that provided a source of water for animals and people in an arid climate.

Some of the earliest pieces found are the remains of the 'atlatls' or spear throwers. They are a simple handheld stick with a handle and a channel to hold the spear, when you learn to master the technique it adds greatly to the power and distance of your throw - much like throwing a baseball, but adding another flip of the wrist.

As the centuries passed new customs and lifestyles developed. By 7,000 BCE the big game had perished and smaller animals were hunted instead.

By 5,000 BCE they began building mounds. In the flat landscape of Florida (the highest point in Florida is only 345 feet, or 105 metres, above sea level) a mound of 30 or 40 feet is an impressive sight. Over time some were built for the location of a ceremony, or raised the village above the flood plain. Some were only a garbage heap.

The production of ceramic pottery started at about 2,000 BCE in both Florida and Georgia. 600 years latter we begin to see carved stone containers arrive that had to come from the mountains about 500 miles to the north.

In the transitional period, about 1,000 BCE, we begin to see the cultivation of crops and the introduction of new tools.

At about the time the Christian Era arrived in Europe a new type of mound was introduced as a burial place for the dead. Temples were added on the top of the ceremonial mounds, and sometimes a large home for the leaders.

By the time the Europeans arrived in the 16th century it is estimated that there were already some 25,00 people living in Florida.

F S

This is probably an off-the-wall question, but Florida is known today for citrus crops, so what fruits and vegetables might have grown there 2,000 years ago?

[Amy P]

Like most species in Florida, citrus was introduced by the Europeans. I am not sure about all the original species. I know they had fruits and nuts. I have had 'heart of palm' but it does kill the tree by removing the crown. I have also eaten wild prickly pear cactus, but you have to be careful to remove all the 'hairs' cactus spines in your tongue are most unpleasant

We have many invasive plants and animals that have been introduced with the best of intentions.

Our citrus is currently having a lot of problems with various diseases, such as canker and greening. I have a lemon that is only producing a few tiny fruits each season.

F S

This winter is likely to have a few seasonal freezes, too. I hope the citrus growers will be up to the task of protecting their trees.