Withlacoochee River Florida Scenic Landscape – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Essence of a Memory
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reports that when Florida wildlife officials discovered relic hunters unlawfully excavating in the Withlacoochee State Forest, hundreds of historic objects were retrieved. 224 “indigenous artifacts” in total were discovered, according to a press release from the commission. Photos of the mounds indicate artifacts from Florida’s indigenous peoples, including spear tips and arrowheads, as well as broken pottery. A thorough inventory of the items has not been made public.
A 35-year-old male and a 34-year-old woman from Spring Hill, which is located roughly 20 miles southwest of the woodland, have both been taken into custody. About 50 miles to the north of Tampa is the Withlacoochee State Forest.
The theft is said to have been stopped by a vigilant FWC officer who was on patrol and saw signs of someone attempting to conceal excavation at “a known archaeological site” close to Lizzie Hart Sink.
“FWC conducted surveillance for two days and discovered two individuals digging,” officials said.
“Officers (found) an area surrounded by palm fronds that the subjects later admitted to cutting down and erecting to conceal their location. (A man) was standing inside the dig site, excavating dirt and picking up what appeared to be artifacts.”
According to officials, a woman was working in a smaller hole nearby. According to the organization, 179 antiques were discovered to be in his possession, while 45 were in hers.
“They were both charged with excavating, removing or attempting to remove, deface, destroy or otherwise alter an archaeological site on land owned or controlled by the state of Florida,” FWC said. “Additional infractions were charged for the cutting down and removal of the palm fronds and for operating a vehicle on a closed road.”
Officials stated that “after the case has concluded,” the artifacts seized during the inquiry “will be turned over to the Florida Department of State.” According to the state, the Withlacoochee State Forest spans 164,073 acres in the counties of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Pasco, and Sumter. According to the Florida Forest Service, the Lizzie Hart Sink is a sinkhole basin in the forest that “contains a unique mixed hardwood hammock reminiscent of more northern states.”
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