Archaeological Discovery Suggests Site of Historic Fort on Fort Lauderdale Beach
Matt Little, Public Information Specialist
(954) 828-4732 or mlittle@fortlauderdale.gov
Fort Lauderdale - In a coordinated historic preservation initiative between the City of Fort Lauderdale, Broward County and a well-known archaeological group, an Interim Report was released today pointing to Fort Lauderdale Beach as the site of a pre-civil war fort.
During utility trench excavations that were conducted as part of a $3.1 million improvement project at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, an archaeologist who had been on site since the beginning of the project discovered approximately 100 artifacts. Following protocol as outlined in Broward County Ordinance, Chapter 5, Article XVI, the City notified the County of the initial discovery on May 2.
Archaeologists have remained on the scene to monitor excavations and recover artifacts, including approximately 20 musket balls, lead slag from the manufacture of musket balls, military buttons and a kaolin pipe bowl.
A television report that gold coins were discovered was inaccurate and unfounded. The archaeologists reported that most findings consisted of melted lead and artifacts that are of historical interest, but that would not be characterized as valuable.
As work progresses on schedule in compliance with County Ordinances, archaeologists will remain on the scene to closely monitor excavations.
The public is reminded that ordinances prohibit the collection or disturbance of artifacts on the site. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department is enforcing the prohibition to prevent theft of the artifacts.
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