We stumbled upon this archeological site while walking the Riverwalk. Having been to many stone circles it Europe, it caught my attention and impressed me that the city maintained and did not build over this historic location. It’s easy to miss with a plague stuck on a rock to indicate and explain. Great job!

This is one of the biggest archeological finds in the history of the State of Florida. This ancient limestone circle is 1,700-2,000 years old and is connected to the native settlement in Miami. Like the pioneer founding of Miami, the original native settlement was known to be at the mouth of the Miami River to Biscayne Bay, but the exact location was lost to history. It was not until redevelopment was planned for the site in 1998 that construction crews found the Circle and brought state archeologist in. Eventually, due to the historic significance, the state bought the land and provided to the city for a park. Now there is this amazingly beautiful park at the convergence of the river and bay with a new man-made circle placed several feet over the original to protect it underground. The park is great place to visit and see the various downtown skyscrapers that soar around it. Just overlooking the circle is the Pillar of History on the bridge which is a bronzed column recognizing the native prehistory of the site with an Indian arching his bow towards the sky. This is a place you will want to visit when in downtown Miami.

I've been staring at this dog park for years and I finally looked up what it is. I was quite surprised!This Miami Circle, is apparently 1,800-2,000 years old based on radiocarbon dating. It is thought to be the footprint of a prehistoric structure built by the Tequesta people or their ancestors. That is amazing!I think that this location needs a better publicist because from the outside it is a nice dog park, not a historical landmark.

Miami Circle, also known as The Miami River Circle, Brickell Point or The Miami Circle at Brickell Point Site, is an archaeological site in downtown Miami, Florida, that has uncovered the only known evidence of a prehistoric permanent structure cut into the bedrock in the Eastern United States. Located at 401 Brickell Avenue, the site consists of a perfect circle measuring 38 feet of 600 postmolds that contain 24 holes or basins cut into the limestone bedrock, on a coastal spit of land, surrounded by a large number of other minor holes. Discovered in 1998, it is believed to be between 1,700 and 2,000 years old and considerably predates other known permanent settlements on the East Coast. It is believed the site was the location of a structure built by the Tequesta Indians in what was possibly their capital. Although some scholars have questioned its age and authenticity, the site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2009. Further examination and excavation of the earth has revealed numerous archaeological artifacts ranging from shell-tools and stone axe-heads to human teeth and charcoal and burnt wood from fires, further evidence indicating a presence of ancient habitation. HistoryMiami Museum is the official repository for all of the artifacts recovered from the Miami Circle site. The Tequesta were a tribe who were believed to be primarily nomadic, hunting fish and alligators in the Florida Everglades.

This national landmark was established in 2009 and relates to American Indian heritage and architecture. Nice to see it.