hahcha, for "river." At this point the Soto expedition was nearing what was to become their winter camp. the most prominent spring in the area is that forming the headwaters of the Wakulla River considerably south of Tallahassee. the Wakulla joins the St. Marks River at Achuse.

ANHAICA APALACHE -- also spelled Ivahica and Iniahico. This appears to be a timucua designation of the Apalache capital comprised of hica, for "town"; and inihi which translates literally to "consort" but which more likely means "lieutenant" or "some one who helps govern."

ACHUSE -- also spelled Achusi and Ochus. This is derived from the Hitchiti Indian term ochisi, meaning "a person speaking a different language." The Hitchiti were closely related to the Creek and were neighbors of the Apalache. This Indian settlement, on the peninsula formed by confluence of the Wakulla and St. Marks rivers, later was the site of the Spanish fort and mission of San Marcos de Apalache (St. Marks).

INDIAN MOUNDS

The most distinctive feature of principal Indian villages in Florida was a large, central mound. Often, several smaller mounds were close by. The Gentleman of Elvas tells us that Chief Ucita's house stood near the beach upon a high mound.

Seacoast Indians constructed two types of mounds -- a high one of shells for official and ritual purposes, and smaller ones of any handy material in marshy or tidal areas for dry living sites. Natives not having shells available buttressed their earth mounds with palisades of timber.

Shell construction was particularly impressive. The angular material permitted stable, steep structures which sometimes approached 60 feet in height. The outer surface was studded with conch or whelk shells, butt-end out, to decorate the mound and protect it from erosion. A ramp led to the chief's large "palace" surrounded by the homes of his nobles.

The chief's house also served as a council chamber and a treasury for weapons and ceremonial paraphernalia. The analogous function of Florida mounds and Central American pyramids is striking.

Smaller mounds were built near shores subject to wind-driven tides, or in marshes where heavy rains flooded the countryside. These domiciliary mounds often were approached by canals and

had hand-dug ponds nearby where live fish and turtles could be kept until needed.

Mounds also were used for internment of clean bones of tribal members or particularly fierce enemies conquered in battle. These burial mounds frequently were constructed in shallow lakes or surrounded by hand-built moats.

The aborigines of Florida believed that water was a barrier to spirits released at death. When bones and ornaments slid into the muck of pond bottoms they were preserved for modern excavation and study. So efficient is this natural pickling process that Dr. Glen H. Doran, Florida State University archeologist, has unearthed four skulls with intact brains. From the recovered tissue scientists have cloned the genetic chromosomes of individuals who died 7,000 years ago and were immediately buried in Bird Lake near Titusville.

Garcilaso gives us a good description of a mound at Osachile in his Soto account:

You may know therefore that the Indians of Florida always try to dwell on high places, and at least the houses of the lords and caciques are so situated even if the whole village cannot be. Since all of the land is very flat, and elevated sites which have the various other useful conveniences for settlements are seldom found, they build such sites with the strength of their arms.

They pile up very large quantities of earth and stamp on it with great force until they have formed a mound from 28 to 42 feet in height. Then on top of these places they construct flat surfaces which are capable of holding the 10, 12, 15 or 20 dwellings of the lord and his family and the people of his service who vary according to the power and grandeur of his state.

In those areas at the foot of this hill, which may be either natural or artificial, they construct a plaza, around which first the noblest and most important personages and then the common people build their homes. They make an effort not to be far distant from the site upon which the dwelling of their lord is located.

In order to reach the house of the curcaca, the Indians build two, three or more streets, according to the number that are necessary, straight up the side of the hill. These streets are 15 to 20 feet in width and are bordered with walls constructed of thick pieces of wood that are thrust side by side in-to the earth to a depth of more than the height of a man.

Additional pieces of wood just as thick are laid across and joined one to the other to form