A coastal archaeological survey in the Florida Keys has identified a unique collection of Lignite-Bound turtle-shell rattles dating back approximately 2,000 years. These instruments, crafted from the carapaces of juvenile sea turtles and filled with small quartz pebbles, were discovered arranged in a circular formation on a high-elevation shell mound. Experts believe these rattles were central to the Sea-Breeze festival, a Calusa tradition aimed at calling forth cooling winds from the Gulf during the transition to the wet season.
The use of lignite, a form of compressed organic matter, as a binding agent for the ritual instruments indicates a sophisticated understanding of local materials. The site also featured post-holes for a large temporary structure, which may have housed musicians and participants during the multi-day event. This finding offers new insights into the maritime-centered ritual life of the indigenous peoples of South Florida.