Michelle J Lefebvre
Biographic Data
| ID | 137374 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Michelle J Lefebvre |
| GIVEN NAMES | Michelle J |
| FAMILY NAME | Lefebvre |
| SIGNATURE | LEFEBVRE M J |
| AFFILIATIONS | University of Florida |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-1741-9997 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 25 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 59 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 24 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 1 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2008 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
Woodland platform mounds made of feasts
Platform mounds in the Woodland Southeast were often associated with feasting, including prior to and during coordinated ritual construction events and in ceremonies on their elevated summits. We observe that while many inland platforms were made for feasts, some coastal platforms were made of feasts. We argue this detail is an underexplored basis for understanding Woodland platforms’ significance as monuments. To illustrate how platform mounds m…
Chronology building in the Ancestral Florida Keys
Provenance of pottery from the Florida Keys
The effect of survivorship bias on archaeological oyster valve size metrics
Monitoring Shoreline Erosion at Calusa Island
At coastal archaeological sites, measuring erosion rates and assessing artifact loss are vital to understanding the timescale(s) and spatial magnitude of past and future site loss. We describe a straightforward low-tech methodology for documenting shoreline erosion developed by professionals and volunteers over seven years at Calusa Island Midden (8LL45), one of the few remaining sites with an Archaic component in the Pine Island Sound region of …
Assessing an assets-based environmental fellowship through a community cultural wealth lens
Civic engagement in environmental issues creates opportunities for students to explore and combine interests in the environment and community action as well as to develop new perspectives related to social justice issues. This manuscript examines the outcomes of a yearlong eco-civic fellowship for undergraduates representing a variety of cultural backgrounds and identities. The program design and assessment employed an assets-based approach, with…
Archaeology as a method and tool for resilience
Climate change is having an immediate and devastating effect on archaeological sites in Florida. The Florida Public Archaeology Network's Heritage Monitoring Scouts (HMS Florida) program empowers local communities to document the impacts of climate change at sites throughout the state. Our ability to document sites shows humanity's resilience to climate fluctuations in the past while also making it clear that adaptation and mitigation of coastal …
Island Colonization and Human-Environment Interactions on the Edges of the Tropics
Variability across frontiers and boundaries challenges the resilience of expanding populations. Here, we contribute to a broader understanding of global patterns of island colonization and expose the diversity of lifeways experienced across the Taíno culture area by exploring Lucayan settlement of the small subtropical islands of the northern Bahama archipelago. The results of this first comprehensive investigation document the rapid expansion an…
Collagen fingerprinting of Caribbean archaeological fish bones
Exploring the origins of coastal villages
Is It Better to Be Objectively Wrong or Subjectively Right
For many years, archaeologists have relied on Munsell Soil Color Charts (MSCC) as tools for standardizing the recording of soil and sediment colors in the field and artifacts such as pottery in the lab. Users have identified multiple potential sources of discrepancy in results, such as differences in inter-operator perception, light source, or moisture content of samples. In recent years, researchers have developed inexpensive digital methods for…
Unique Lucayan sand dune burials at the Rolling Heads site, Long Island, The Bahamas
The skeletal remains of nearly 100 Indigenous Bahamians, called Lucayans, have been recovered in the Bahama archipelago (Lucayan Islands). Until now, virtually, all were recovered from wet and dry caves, caverns, and blue holes, most of which lacked specific evidence for mortuary practices. In the aftermath of Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015, two human crania were found on Lowe's Beach, Long Island, The Bahamas. In addition, two burial areas we…
Cooking with corals
The paleoecology and extinction of endemic tortoises in the Bahamian Archipelago
No native species of tortoises ( Chelonoidis spp.) live today in the Bahamian (Lucayan) Archipelago (= The Bahamas + The Turks and Caicos Islands), although a number of species inhabited these islands at the first human contact in the late-Holocene. Until their extinction, tortoises were the largest terrestrial herbivores in the island group. We report 16 accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) radiocarbon ( 14 C) dates determined directly on individ…
Zooarchaeology in Practice
Advancing the Study of Amerindian Ecodynamics in the Caribbean
Worldwide, archaeological research is increasingly demonstrating the antiquity and complexity of interactions between human groups and the environment. In the Caribbean, this complexity is undersco
Bahamian hutia ( Geocapromys ingrahami ) in the Lucayan Realm
Bahamian hutia (Geocapromys ingrahami) are endemic to The Bahamas. The skeletal remains of this species have been recovered from multiple Lucayan-associated archaeological sites in the region, suggesting that it was an important source of human food. This study explores the role of pre-Columbian indigenous peoples in the geographic distribution of Bahamian hutias, and the possibility of intentional management of the animal. We provide an overview…
Zooarchaeology in Practice
Complete mitogenomes of ancient Caribbean Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)
The domestic guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) was translocated from South America to several Caribbean islands sometime after 500 CE. Identifying the timing and routes of guinea pig translocation can provide a proxy for human interaction in the region. A recent investigation of aDNA of Caribbean guinea pig remains, based on sequences from short regions of the mitochondrial D-loop and cytochrome B regions, suggested a Colombian origin and single intro…
Origin of pre-Columbian guinea pigs from Caribbean archeological sites revealed through genetic analysis
Guinea Pigs in the Pre-Columbian West Indies
In archaeology, human-introduced animals provide clues about social interaction and movement of past peoples. Zooarchaeological records in the Caribbean show that pre-Columbian people introduced several South American mammals to different islands. This article examines all reported pre-Columbian zooarchaeological records of domesticated guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) in the Caribbean. Thus far, 218 bone fragments have been identified from 18 sites…
Protecting Heritage in the Caribbean
The Zooarchaeology of Islands
In recent years much ink has been spilled debating the role, nature, and legitimacy of island archaeology as a subdiscipline within archaeology. No matter how islands and their archaeology are viewed, however, there can be no doubt that zooarchaeological studies of islands have gained increasing prominence in our efforts to understand human lifeways in these settings. Here we discuss current trends in island zooarchaeology and examine some of the…
Precolumbian Settlements on Carriacou, West Indies
The first systematic archaeological investigation of Precolumbian sites on the island of Carriacou in the West Indies provides a rich source of information regarding Amerindian settlement in the southern Caribbean. Herein, we report results from an island-wide survey and subsequent excavation at two large village sites—Grand Bay and Sabazan—that provide evidence for an intensive late Ceramic Age occupation dating between CAL. A.D. 400–1200. Resul…
The Role of Small Islands in Marine Subsistence Strategies
Guinea Pigs in the Pre-Columbian West Indies
In archaeology, human-introduced animals provide clues about social interaction and movement of past peoples. Zooarchaeological records in the Caribbean show that pre-Columbian people introduced several South American mammals to different islands. This article examines all reported pre-Columbian zooarchaeological records of domesticated guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) in the Caribbean. Thus far, 218 bone fragments have been identified from 18 sites…
The Role of Small Islands in Marine Subsistence Strategies
Bahamian hutia ( Geocapromys ingrahami ) in the Lucayan Realm
Bahamian hutia (Geocapromys ingrahami) are endemic to The Bahamas. The skeletal remains of this species have been recovered from multiple Lucayan-associated archaeological sites in the region, suggesting that it was an important source of human food. This study explores the role of pre-Columbian indigenous peoples in the geographic distribution of Bahamian hutias, and the possibility of intentional management of the animal. We provide an overview…
Collagen fingerprinting of Caribbean archaeological fish bones
Precolumbian Settlements on Carriacou, West Indies
The first systematic archaeological investigation of Precolumbian sites on the island of Carriacou in the West Indies provides a rich source of information regarding Amerindian settlement in the southern Caribbean. Herein, we report results from an island-wide survey and subsequent excavation at two large village sites—Grand Bay and Sabazan—that provide evidence for an intensive late Ceramic Age occupation dating between CAL. A.D. 400–1200. Resul…
Origin of pre-Columbian guinea pigs from Caribbean archeological sites revealed through genetic analysis
The Zooarchaeology of Islands
In recent years much ink has been spilled debating the role, nature, and legitimacy of island archaeology as a subdiscipline within archaeology. No matter how islands and their archaeology are viewed, however, there can be no doubt that zooarchaeological studies of islands have gained increasing prominence in our efforts to understand human lifeways in these settings. Here we discuss current trends in island zooarchaeology and examine some of the…
Assessing an assets-based environmental fellowship through a community cultural wealth lens
Civic engagement in environmental issues creates opportunities for students to explore and combine interests in the environment and community action as well as to develop new perspectives related to social justice issues. This manuscript examines the outcomes of a yearlong eco-civic fellowship for undergraduates representing a variety of cultural backgrounds and identities. The program design and assessment employed an assets-based approach, with…
Exploring the origins of coastal villages
Is It Better to Be Objectively Wrong or Subjectively Right
For many years, archaeologists have relied on Munsell Soil Color Charts (MSCC) as tools for standardizing the recording of soil and sediment colors in the field and artifacts such as pottery in the lab. Users have identified multiple potential sources of discrepancy in results, such as differences in inter-operator perception, light source, or moisture content of samples. In recent years, researchers have developed inexpensive digital methods for…
Unique Lucayan sand dune burials at the Rolling Heads site, Long Island, The Bahamas
The skeletal remains of nearly 100 Indigenous Bahamians, called Lucayans, have been recovered in the Bahama archipelago (Lucayan Islands). Until now, virtually, all were recovered from wet and dry caves, caverns, and blue holes, most of which lacked specific evidence for mortuary practices. In the aftermath of Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015, two human crania were found on Lowe's Beach, Long Island, The Bahamas. In addition, two burial areas we…
Cooking with corals
Advancing the Study of Amerindian Ecodynamics in the Caribbean
Worldwide, archaeological research is increasingly demonstrating the antiquity and complexity of interactions between human groups and the environment. In the Caribbean, this complexity is undersco
The Role of Small Islands in Marine Subsistence Strategies
The Zooarchaeology of Islands
In recent years much ink has been spilled debating the role, nature, and legitimacy of island archaeology as a subdiscipline within archaeology. No matter how islands and their archaeology are viewed, however, there can be no doubt that zooarchaeological studies of islands have gained increasing prominence in our efforts to understand human lifeways in these settings. Here we discuss current trends in island zooarchaeology and examine some of the…
Precolumbian Settlements on Carriacou, West Indies
The first systematic archaeological investigation of Precolumbian sites on the island of Carriacou in the West Indies provides a rich source of information regarding Amerindian settlement in the southern Caribbean. Herein, we report results from an island-wide survey and subsequent excavation at two large village sites—Grand Bay and Sabazan—that provide evidence for an intensive late Ceramic Age occupation dating between CAL. A.D. 400–1200. Resul…
Protecting Heritage in the Caribbean
Guinea Pigs in the Pre-Columbian West Indies
In archaeology, human-introduced animals provide clues about social interaction and movement of past peoples. Zooarchaeological records in the Caribbean show that pre-Columbian people introduced several South American mammals to different islands. This article examines all reported pre-Columbian zooarchaeological records of domesticated guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) in the Caribbean. Thus far, 218 bone fragments have been identified from 18 sites…
Origin of pre-Columbian guinea pigs from Caribbean archeological sites revealed through genetic analysis
Zooarchaeology in Practice
Complete mitogenomes of ancient Caribbean Guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)
The domestic guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) was translocated from South America to several Caribbean islands sometime after 500 CE. Identifying the timing and routes of guinea pig translocation can provide a proxy for human interaction in the region. A recent investigation of aDNA of Caribbean guinea pig remains, based on sequences from short regions of the mitochondrial D-loop and cytochrome B regions, suggested a Colombian origin and single intro…
Zooarchaeology in Practice
Advancing the Study of Amerindian Ecodynamics in the Caribbean
Worldwide, archaeological research is increasingly demonstrating the antiquity and complexity of interactions between human groups and the environment. In the Caribbean, this complexity is undersco
Bahamian hutia ( Geocapromys ingrahami ) in the Lucayan Realm
Bahamian hutia (Geocapromys ingrahami) are endemic to The Bahamas. The skeletal remains of this species have been recovered from multiple Lucayan-associated archaeological sites in the region, suggesting that it was an important source of human food. This study explores the role of pre-Columbian indigenous peoples in the geographic distribution of Bahamian hutias, and the possibility of intentional management of the animal. We provide an overview…
The paleoecology and extinction of endemic tortoises in the Bahamian Archipelago
No native species of tortoises ( Chelonoidis spp.) live today in the Bahamian (Lucayan) Archipelago (= The Bahamas + The Turks and Caicos Islands), although a number of species inhabited these islands at the first human contact in the late-Holocene. Until their extinction, tortoises were the largest terrestrial herbivores in the island group. We report 16 accelerator mass spectrometer (AMS) radiocarbon ( 14 C) dates determined directly on individ…
Cooking with corals
Is It Better to Be Objectively Wrong or Subjectively Right
For many years, archaeologists have relied on Munsell Soil Color Charts (MSCC) as tools for standardizing the recording of soil and sediment colors in the field and artifacts such as pottery in the lab. Users have identified multiple potential sources of discrepancy in results, such as differences in inter-operator perception, light source, or moisture content of samples. In recent years, researchers have developed inexpensive digital methods for…
Unique Lucayan sand dune burials at the Rolling Heads site, Long Island, The Bahamas
The skeletal remains of nearly 100 Indigenous Bahamians, called Lucayans, have been recovered in the Bahama archipelago (Lucayan Islands). Until now, virtually, all were recovered from wet and dry caves, caverns, and blue holes, most of which lacked specific evidence for mortuary practices. In the aftermath of Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015, two human crania were found on Lowe's Beach, Long Island, The Bahamas. In addition, two burial areas we…
Collagen fingerprinting of Caribbean archaeological fish bones
Exploring the origins of coastal villages
Island Colonization and Human-Environment Interactions on the Edges of the Tropics
Variability across frontiers and boundaries challenges the resilience of expanding populations. Here, we contribute to a broader understanding of global patterns of island colonization and expose the diversity of lifeways experienced across the Taíno culture area by exploring Lucayan settlement of the small subtropical islands of the northern Bahama archipelago. The results of this first comprehensive investigation document the rapid expansion an…
Monitoring Shoreline Erosion at Calusa Island
At coastal archaeological sites, measuring erosion rates and assessing artifact loss are vital to understanding the timescale(s) and spatial magnitude of past and future site loss. We describe a straightforward low-tech methodology for documenting shoreline erosion developed by professionals and volunteers over seven years at Calusa Island Midden (8LL45), one of the few remaining sites with an Archaic component in the Pine Island Sound region of …
Assessing an assets-based environmental fellowship through a community cultural wealth lens
Civic engagement in environmental issues creates opportunities for students to explore and combine interests in the environment and community action as well as to develop new perspectives related to social justice issues. This manuscript examines the outcomes of a yearlong eco-civic fellowship for undergraduates representing a variety of cultural backgrounds and identities. The program design and assessment employed an assets-based approach, with…
Archaeology as a method and tool for resilience
Climate change is having an immediate and devastating effect on archaeological sites in Florida. The Florida Public Archaeology Network's Heritage Monitoring Scouts (HMS Florida) program empowers local communities to document the impacts of climate change at sites throughout the state. Our ability to document sites shows humanity's resilience to climate fluctuations in the past while also making it clear that adaptation and mitigation of coastal …
Chronology building in the Ancestral Florida Keys
Provenance of pottery from the Florida Keys
The effect of survivorship bias on archaeological oyster valve size metrics
Woodland platform mounds made of feasts
Platform mounds in the Woodland Southeast were often associated with feasting, including prior to and during coordinated ritual construction events and in ceremonies on their elevated summits. We observe that while many inland platforms were made for feasts, some coastal platforms were made of feasts. We argue this detail is an underexplored basis for understanding Woodland platforms’ significance as monuments. To illustrate how platform mounds m…
Archaeology (20 works) · Geography (19 works) · Archaeology and ancient environmental studies (13 works) · Biology (10 works) · History (10 works) · History (9 works) · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies (9 works) · Ecology (8 works) · Geology (6 works) · Caribbean region (5 works)