Shell Mound near Cedar Key, Levy County, FL 2010

MONSTER

Stare at the slope of this huge shell mound outside Cedar Key and a face–an animal or person made monster–emerges. Protruding roots become bugging eyes and moss its pelt.

This thing, male, is probably 4,500 years old. Before corn was grown or pottery made here, it lived.

One side of its mouth is open, disgorging a cascade of clamshells and half-oysters that pours down, above and before you, 25 feet or more. Or he could be ingesting, inhaling them, the way Saturn eats his son…

Next: Crystal River Archaeological State Park, Citrus County FL, 2009