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The Miami Circle, Miami

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#325 of 352 in Things to do in Miami

Landmark Tourist Spot

The Miami Circle, also known as The Miami River Circle, Brickell Point, or The Miami Circle at Brickell Point Site, is an archaeological site in Downtown Miami, Florida. It consists of a perfect circle measuring 38 feet (11.5m) of 600 postmolds that contain 24 holes or basins cut into the limestone bedrock, on a coastal spit of land, surrounded by a large number of other 'minor' holes. It is the only known evidence of a prehistoric permanent structure cut into the bedrock in the Eastern United States, and considerably predates other known permanent settlements on the East Coast. It is believed to have been the location of a structure, built by the Tequesta (also Tekesta) Indians, in what was possibly their capital. Discovered in 1998, the site is believed to be somewhere between 1700 and 2000 years old. Some scholars have questioned both its age and its authenticity.
HistoryMiami, then known as the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, signed a 44-year lease of the site in March 2008, with plans to offer tours beginning in Spring 2009.
On February 5, 2002, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was declared a National Historic Landmark on January 16, 2009.
On February 3, 2014, the Miami Herald reported additional postholes had been excavated in Downtown Miami, further indicating presence of ancient habitation.

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The Miami Circle Reviews

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• By Sébastien V

  De l'archéologie à Miami, qui l'eût cru? Nous aurions eu grand-peine à croire qu'il puisse y avoir tant à dire sur ce parc difficile d'accès, si nous n'avions pas lu la plaque et pris connaissance des...  more »

  Archaeology in Miami, who would have believed it? We would have been very hard to believe that there could be so much to say about this difficult access Park, if we hadn't read the plaque and learned about the scholarly explanations, especially on this site (thanks to the other commentators by the way). Well, as usual, the most interesting artifacts were put to the Museum (probably a safer place), but it does not remain that these ancestors shared the taste of beautiful sites with current promoters and tourists. In the end, really deserves a pass!
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• By Sam A

  Incredible story about the preservation of this ancient landmark, as told in the bilingual signs around the area. High rises tower over this ancient site, but the past still remains. An important part...  more »

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