Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/149186
Sarasota News Leader August 9 & 16, 2013 Page 46 "I can't think of anyone better to manage the ARCHAEOLOGICAL GOLDMINE spring," Goetz said of Mote. "There is no other place on the planet like it," The research facility could be used to study Goetz said of the spring, which is relatively artifacts also found at nearby Warm Mineral unknown, even in Sarasota County. Springs and Nona Spring," Goetz added. Because of the anoxic climate and near conA plan to build a modest structure at Little stant temperature, the spring maintains artiSalt Spring was launched before the downturn facts in far better condition than other environments do, even rivers. in the economy, Koski pointed out. Although the university received $250,000 from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice to support research expansion, plans for the research facility, interpretative nature walks and a visitors' center were not continued under the new dean at the Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science. "Little Salt Spring preserves wood and bone and brain," Goetz noted. "A brain found inside [a] skull was preserved. I believe it was from a 7-year-old child, and it was 7,000 years old." "Even insect wings are iridescent after 12,000 years," Goetz said. "Little Salt Spring can tell us about geology, archeology, hydrology, bi- This illustration shows the sinkhole and spring at Little Salt Spring. The ledge in the middle of the illustration — 90 feet under the surface of the spring — is where the extinct tortoise shell and sharp stake were discovered. Illustration by Steve Daniels, University of Miami