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Stonemason refuses to cut up ancient stone circle

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Developers plan to build over ruins of ancient Indian site  
February 15, 1999
Web posted at: 11:59 p.m. EST (0459 GMT)

MIAMI (CNN) -- A stonemason gave a mysterious stone circle at least a one-day reprieve Monday when he refused to cut up the stone so it could be removed from some pricey, waterfront real estate in Miami.

Joshua Billip walked away from the job after hearing arguments that the ring of holes carved into limestone bedrock is holy ground to American Indians.

"Really, I couldn't be the ax-man, so to speak. I couldn't be the one who went in and removed it," explained Billip.

At a news conference Monday, a preservationist group called on the state of Florida to intervene and prevent the circle from being moved. Many believe it to be the centuries-old ruins of an extinct culture -- the Tequesta Indians.

"My suspicion is this is probably a council house or temple house -- some very important structure to the prehistoric Tequestas," said Robert Carr, a county archeologist.

The unique, carved stone circle, now called the Miami Circle, was unearthed last year as work crews cleared the land so a huge new residential and commercial complex could be built.

Religious meaning

The plan to develop the site has led to noisy protests from preservationists and environmentalists and from some Americans Indians, who believe the ruins are sacred and should be left alone.

About two dozen protesters held signs, collected signatures and urged passing cars to honk their horns Monday to stop the 38-foot stone circle from being moved.

"We're asking people, respect us and protect what we have," said Bobbie Billie of the Independent Traditional Seminole Nation. He compared the circle's significance for Florida's American Indians to that of Jerusalem's Western Wall for world Jewry.

Billie also said the American Indians had lived in the area since ancient times and used the circle over and over. "It has been known for generations," he said.

Property rights

Since the circle was discovered, developers have allowed archaeologists to study it on site. But now the owners want to relocate the stone circle and donate it to the city so a $100,000 condominium complex can be constructed on the site.

"The interests of the stones and the people here have to be balanced against property rights," said Vicky Garcia-Toledo, an attorney for the developers. "My client has an absolute right to use his property to the best and highest use allowed by law."

"When you move anything, it makes it less in a meaningful context," said Becky Roper Matkov of the Dade Heritage Trust. "And though you can study the individual parts perhaps, how it relates to the whole might be lost."

Developers said their construction plans are still on track. But some protesters vow to blockade the site in order to stop the excavation of the Miami Circle.

Correspondent Mark Potter and Reuters contributed to this report.


RELATED STORIES:
Scientists puzzle over ancient ruins in Miami
January 7, 1999
Mysterious stone circle found on Miami River bank
December 23, 1998

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