Ancient engineering of fish capture and storage in southwest Florida

Significance Fish were captured and stored by Native Americans of southwestern Florida in complex walled structures called watercourts, constructed of shell and other sediments. These structures were engineered with knowledge of tidal systems, hydrology, and the biology of species to be stored in these courts. This work documents the considerable ability of the Calusa, a nonagricultural society, to engineer systems that significantly alter their natural environment. These structures are associated with an ever-growing population and complex system of governance among the Calusa of Florida.