The
shell, called a carapace, from a loggerhead sea turtle was recovered from
the northeastern portion of the Miami Circle. The turtle carapace seems to have
been buried on purpose and may have been a platter or similar artifact. Similar
artifacts are not recorded in the literature, though if the carapace was
a platter it may be similar to buried shell and ceramic vessels found in southern
Florida sites. Measurements of the carapace indicate that it is not an adult,
but rather a sub-adult. Charcoal found with the carapace was radiocarbon dated
to around A.D. 1330-1650.