Crafts of Florida's First People

by Robin C. Brown

There were people living all over Florida for twelve thousand years before Columbus got here. Before hardware stores and shopping malls, these people managed to get food, make clothing, and cook their meals. In The Crafts of Florida's First People , Robin Brown asks, How did they do it? And to answer his question, he actually learns to do things the way they did. Using materials that you can find in Florida today, you can learn with him how to throw spears and darts, make pottery, weave cloth, mix paint, build traps, and even how to start a fire without matches—just the way Florida's first people did it for thousands of years. Each chapter has easy-to-follow, fully illustrated directions. Even if you dont have the natural supplies available in your area, the book includes suggestions for alternative materials so you can still learn their crafts. As you work, you will experience some of the daily life of the ancient peoples of Florida. You will find out not only how to make a spear, but what its construction tells us about how the first people hunted and what animals they ate. The last true Florida native died 200 years ago, but you can help keep their culture alive.

64 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2003

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book by one of those sorts who replicates the crafts and technology of ancient people. It was quite interesting, particularly in its discussion of the atlatl. It looks like one of the most useful books I've found on the ancients of Florida.

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live in an awesome state but often take things for granted. As an amateur gardener I appreciate the many plants that grow here. Whereas visitors often see the sunshine and warm weather, they don't live here 24/7. We have extreme heat, suffocating humidity and a plethora of insects that make Florida their home. We also have enough cold temperatures so that tropical plant life survives year-round in only a portion of the state. So it was so nice to read a book of simplistic crafts that Florida's natives made centuries ago from plants that have survived for a long time.

I found some new uses for Spanish moss, Sabal Palms and Cypress bark. I was startled to learn you could make paint colors from shells and clay that I have found in my yard.

Be aware that this book is a starter point to give you ideas. There are some colored photos but many of the pictures are in muted shades of brown. The details for each 'craft' are good but you will probably need additional resources before you try something. I think the most people who will benefit from this look at Florida's early history will be teachers, parents of home-schooled children and camp counselors.