Digging Up Old Marco’s Past

Digging up the past is getting a lot of attention on Marco Island as archaeologists sift through dirt in Old Marco and developers carve into the earth of Indian Hill. 

“Everybody is pretty excited about what we’re doing,” said Luigi Carvelli, a restaurant owner and property owner along Bald Eagle Drive in Old Marco. 

Carvelli hired archaeologists who began digging into property sites on Friday along Bald Eagle Drive, spanning from the entry to the Snook Inn to behind the historic Scuba Marco dive shop. 

What Carvelli does not own is the waterfront Port Marco site, which is immediately adjacent to the Snook Inn, and which caught attention for completing demolition without any historical or archaeological work in advance, despite its known historical significance. 

The site proves that history is controversial. Even the spelling of the word “old” differs with the sign to the area spelling it “Olde Marco,” and some history buffs, like Craig Woodward and maps, spelling it “Old Marco.” 

“We’re working to ease traffic congestion on this side of the island. That’s what we’re trying to do right now, is to put up a parking lot,” Carvelli said.

The waterfront lot of Port Marco, however, which is owned by Tailwind Group, has not yet done archaeological digs. Demolition was complete in March and included removal of large palm trees and other vegetation plucked from the earth, in addition to the 16 manufactured home sites, road, and driveways demolished. Port Marco’s property owners had sold in a co-op years prior, selling for a record-breaking $16 million. Occupants left in a rush, it seemed, with dishes on counters, records on the couch, and even the Vespa in the driveway just the day before demolition. 

Previously, Port Marco was owned by the area’s longtime clamming, fishing, and stone crabbing Doxsee family.

Now, the lot, approximately two acres, is smoothed over by dirt. The plan for its future includes a five-story hotel, condominiums, a parking garage, marina, two restaurants, a retail store, and boat slips, among other plans.

Dan Smith, Marco Island's Director of Community Affairs, said the plans are not likely to be approved as presented and cannot yet be moved forward to the Planning Board. 

The City required work stop on the Port Marco property after demolition was complete.

Historians noted that the Land Development Code requires archaeological surveys prior to any work on historical sites, of which Port Marco is considered to be. There are also other state and federal guidelines for the historical area, archaeologists said. 

The first 18 inches are considered the most important, and that was disturbed and seemingly even removed from Port Marco, said Tish Champagne, president of the Marco Island Historical Society. 

City officials said Tailwind Group is also bringing in archaeologists, though they have not yet begun work.

“Marco Island is like a goldmine to them [archeologists]. They know if they sink a shovel in the dirt, they’re going to find stuff,” Champagne said. 

“There are some bodies buried where the trailers were. In the old days, people buried bodies in their yards,” she said. 

Even the history of the history is deep on Marco Island. In 1896, archaeologist and anthropologist Frank Hamilton Cushing discovered numerous artifacts that are 500 to 1,500 years old. The most famous among them is the hand-carved Key Marco Cat that is on display at the Marco Island Historical Museum, on loan from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History through 2026. 

This history of the community is why Carvelli said he chose to pay a few thousand dollars to undergo the phase one archeological dig on his properties prior to work.

“We’re here to do the right thing for the community, respect the island, respect the values of the island, respect the history,” Carvelli said as he met the archaeologists on a grassy lot located along Bald Eagle Drive on Friday, May 2. 

Next door to the flattened and fenced Port Marco lot, archaeologists Maleah Inboden and Daniel Markham dug holes and sifted through the dirt to find shells and artifacts. They work with the Archaeological and Historical Conservancy, founded by well-known author and archaeologist Bob Carr. 

They discovered what they believed to be at least some shards of prehistoric pottery, they said.

Nearby, the Shops of Old Marco look like a walk into an old pioneer movie set. The buildings are smaller and more colorful. 

Members of the Doxsee family have described numerous items that were on and likely still below the surface of Port Marco, near the old Doxsee Clam Factory. 

And archaeologist Gene Erjavic, who has a long history of digging on Marco Island, described three layers of villages 1,500 years older than the one prior to it. 

“It’s amazing to me for people to just go ahead and start carving out areas that have historical significance,” Champagne said, naming Old Marco and Indian Hill among them.

"Whether it’s going to be a building, a parking lot, a McMansion or whatever, we have great history here. So, just give us a chance to remove the artifacts and get to them to the right places and then do whatever you want to do,” Champagne said in a phone interview on Monday. 

“A phase one shovel testing should have been done first,” said Inboden, regarding the Port Marco site. 

As for Carvelli’s properties, he’s proud to have made the choice to hire the archaeologists, who had already found several bones and shell fragments. No human remains have yet been reported. Artifacts may be forthcoming on the neighboring lots.

“If we find something, we will donate it to the museum and Marco Island can have it,” said Carvelli, who was born in Italy and has lived on Marco 30 years with his family, who run island restaurants. 

Thus far, Carvelli has not submitted any plans to the City yet for development or construction, but his parking plans are likely, he said. 

In the meantime, any items found by archaeologists will be sent to Tallahassee to the state preservation officer, and it will take several weeks to determine the details of what was found, said Inboden. 

Even the larger prehistoric shells offer insight that people, and the animals they ate, used to have healthier diets, she said.

“The deeper you get, the older you get, they were eating pretty good,” Inboden added. 

“If we were to find human remains or a feature like a fire pit, then we would move onto a phase two,” Inboden said. 

Then, the holes get bigger and deeper. 

“Phase three can open up whole blocks,” she said. 

An area is dubbed high, medium, or low probability. 

“This would be high probability,’ she said of the Port Marco area. 

People are urging Carvelli to preserve the historic scuba shop building and large tree in front of it. Carvelli is committed to working with architects to preserve the tree, he said. 

“We deal with a lot of developers and he [Carvelli] is one of the most polite, respectful people,” Markham said, leaning against the shovel as he spoke.

“It’s a rare find to meet people like that,” said Inboden, sifting through the soil and shell. 

Inboden and Markam also both worked on the Brickell site at Miami Circle, where human remains were found, and a media and legal frenzy have ensued. Miami Circle is a trading area built by Indigenous people thousands of years ago. They said they were relieved not to be working there currently. 

At this time, tribes are not involved in Old Marco development or archaeology, and it's unknown if there will be legal consequences for the lack of archaeological survey on Port Marco. 

Not everyone agrees on the best way to respect history.

Betty Osceola, a member of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, said she was told by her elders that it’s not good to dig up old bones for many reasons, including that it could dredge up old illnesses and pathogens, she said. 

Since the most significant artifacts are usually discovered within the first 18 inches of earth, many people said they were discouraged by the demolition at Port Marco.

“That’s why we have the City. That’s what’s most disheartening to me is to not be able to depend on that,” Champagne said. 

“Just give us a chance to save our heritage. It’s big here. It’s huge here,” she said. 

Realtors should know the history and tell people as they buy and sell property, she advised. 

“I love that there are people left here that care and that care deeply,” Champagne said.

“Humanity is still here,” she said. 

She is committed to all history. 

“Whether it be bad or good history, it’s still here and it should have its story told. I do feel we’re all personally responsible,” Champagne said.