The Related Group has proposed donating hundreds of thousands of ancient artifacts and relics uncovered at a site of a historic Native American town in Brickell to various universities. This offer has been met with strong criticism from archaeologists, Native American activists, and at least one academic institution.
In mid-2023, amid public outcry, Related agreed to collaborate with Miami’s historic preservation program to devise a long-term strategy for preserving and showcasing findings from the Tequesta Indian village, dating back about 2,000 years. However, the developer has missed two deadlines set by the city for detailing this plan, and recent communications indicate that completing it may take considerably longer.
A significant unresolved matter is where to permanently house approximately one million artifacts, primarily fragments, from the largest archaeological dig in Florida’s history. In addition, questions linger regarding how these findings will be accessible to researchers and funding for such initiatives. Although Related claims to have spent around $45 million on excavation efforts, it has declined to finance the storage and curation of the artifacts.
Related’s recent inquiries to universities about proposals for storing and curating the artifacts have drawn ire from scholars. For example, University of California, Berkeley’s archaeology chair, Sabrina Agarwal, expressed her dismay that the company would consider donating materials to institutions outside Florida rather than prioritizing local institutions, emphasizing the necessity of keeping the artifacts as close to their origins as possible.
The public hearing, highlighting Related’s request for approval for design plans for exhibition areas honoring the Tequesta site, revealed the growing frustration among academics and activists regarding the developer’s actions. Archaeology professor Traci Ardren criticized Related for not effectively addressing required storage and curation plans, despite ample time and the city’s mandate.
Despite the criticisms, Related’s representatives downplayed the significance of their recent university inquiries as exploratory and non-committal, and reaffirmed their dedication to finding a solution in partnership with the city and academic institutions.
While some Native American activists demand accountability and a halt to project approvals until a complete plan is submitted, others see the potential for a meaningful preservation effort, noting that the finds significantly illustrate a more complex and developed Tequesta society than previously understood. The archaeology consultant for Related, Bob Carr, echoed the importance of these findings in reshaping public knowledge about the Tequesta and their historical significance.
Overall, this situation presents an opportunity for collaboration between developers, archaeologists, and Native American groups to ensure that the rich historical heritage of the Tequesta Indians is preserved and honored in a manner that respects their legacy and the archaeological significance of the findings.