Sunday, January 24, 2021

Join Dr. Rachel Wentz, author of Life and Death at Windover, as she explores the discovery and excavation of one of the most important archaeological sites in North America: the 7,000-year-old pond cemetery known as Windover. The site produced the well-preserved remains of over 160 individuals who were buried in the base of the pond, along with an array of beautiful artifacts and hand-woven textiles. Learn what life was like for these ancient Floridians and how they have contributed to our understanding of the past.

Dr. Wentz is a former firefighter/paramedic who retired from the Orlando Fire Department and went on to complete an MS and Ph.D. in Anthropology at Florida State University, where she specialized in the analysis of human remains.  She is the author of seven books and her research has been presented on the History Channel, the Weather Channel, and numerous news and radio programs.

The year 2021 will mark 200 years since Florida’s American era began. This year’s theme of our Brechner Speaker Series, “Becoming Florida,” is an exploration of the histories of the people who inhabited Florida before it became a United States territory.

The change of flags transferred Saint Augustine to the United States on July 10, 1821.