The Matecumbe Historical Trust “Taste of History” dining event will be held on October 22, 2018 at the Islamorada Moose Lodge located at 81573 Old Highway, Islamorada, FL  at 6:30 pm.

At the dinner Ryan Harke, professional archaeologist will present “The Southernmost Pre-Columbian Site” Stock Island’s Connection with the Upper Florida Keys and South Florida.  The Stock Island Site is large and an important archaeological site which was excavated by Irving Eyster and Robert Carr in the late 20th century.  In this presentation, Ryan will discuss his ongoing dissertation research into the state collections from those excavations. His goal is to reconstruct the season(s) the site was inhabited from zooarchaeological (animal/food) remains, and thereby, determine if a year-round village was present there. In addition, he will discuss how the Stock Island peoples may relate to those of the Upper Keys and mainland Florida. Ryan’s current research focuses on the Native Americans and the past environments of the Florida Keys. 

Ryan Harke is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Anthropology at the University of South Florida, Tampa. Ryan is a registered professional archaeologist (RPA), and he was previously employed by Flagler College in St. Augustine as a public archaeologist. Before coming to Florida, Ryan was a field archaeologist, working on excavations across the Midwest and Southeast United States.. 

Dinner will include Garden Salad with Keys Citrus Vinaigrette, Broiled fresh catch with Orange Beurre Blanc, roasted vegetables, Jasmine rice and pound cake with mixed berry compote.  Dinner is $50.00 per person all inclusive of tax and gratuity.

For more information or to make reservations call Barbara at 305-393-0940.