"What's In the Miami Circle?" John David Rutledge Travel Log January 31, 2020 -- MIAMI 8:00AM Depart Los Angeles for Miami. Arrive in Miami late in the afternoon. Drive east from Miami Airport (ten miles). Drop off in downtown. Overcast skies. It will be raining soon. Activate electric scooter. Ride a few blocks to Brickell Point, where the Miami River meets Biscayne Bay. Arrive at the first stop on the visit to Miami, the site of the oldest known human habitation in South Florida. Enter the Miami Circle. The most curious circle this side of the Atlantic, in fact, one of the most peculiar built conditions in the world, the Miami Circle sits in the shade beneath the high-rise condominium tower to its immediate South. It was unearthed in 1998 during excavation and site preparation for a planned development in arguably the most sought after property in downtown Miami, Brickell Point. The ensuing debate on what the circle was and what we should do about it lasted several years and resulted in the establishment of a public park in 2011. I had heard all about it back in architecture school, drawing Florida from a hat of heritage conservation project possibilities and choosing the Miami Circle for its significance as a landmark. I had expected to find some signage related to the archeology, as well as, of course, a well-manicured and pleasant public park for people to enjoy. I didn’t expect to find out that the local population of canines have taken control of the site and taken it upon themselves to continue the excavation. The Miami Circle is made up of hundreds of little holes cut into Oolithic limestone bedrock, surrounded by twenty four large holes which form a perfect 38-foot circle. Hailed as “America’s Stonehenge,” the Miami Circle is believed to be the foundational remnants of a thatch and waddle structure built by the Tequesta people, the first known humans to occupy Southeast Florida. Scholars believe the circle is composed of post holes for structural supports such as stilts elevating an impermanent architecture to respond to seasonal flooding. Its specific use remains unknown. However, two thousand years later, it has adopted a new purpose entirely and has become the most popular dog park in Downtown Miami. Of the artifacts originally discovered at the site, a few pieces of burnt wood were radiocarbon dated to be 1800-2000 years old. Other items found included human teeth, tools made of shell, a dolphin skull, and the skeletal remains of a 5.5 foot shark. Axes heads made from basalt, a volcanic rock not indigenous to Florida (closest is in Georgia) were also found. Additionally, a row of single post holes bisects the southern half of the circle, while a row of paired holes cut across the northern half. The Miami Circle was designated a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior in 2009. When the public park opened in 2011, all excavation had long since been completed. In fact, it was reburied in 2003. The landscape now consists of an open field with a single-entry loop of caprock pavers around the outer circumference of the circle. The field continues with grass inside the circle which is commemorated by the Historical Museum of Southern Florida with large stones placed above the presumed post holes. However, there is another noteworthy hole, which happens to be right smack dab in the middle of the circle. This one is courtesy of the ambitious dogs of Downtown Miami. One cannot help to wonder, "what's in the Miami Circle?" Today, this ancient circle sits somber, in the shade, trodden with dogs, dog owners, and signs of dogs and their destruction in every single direction. Even down. The mud from their endeavor tracked helplessly onto the pavers. This is no place for me to sit and rest, not as a human being. This land belongs to another species. Hopefully they'll do something to better honor the people and the land. Activate electric scooter. Ride around the circle as many times as you can, unobstructed. Exit the site and hang a right. Ride onto the bridge. Stop at the top to take a picture. Continue to the next destination. JDR