Carender, Patricia L., May 1992 - AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE COASTAL ZONE OF SARASOTA COUNTY, FLORIDA Abstact: This study investigates prehistoric sites situated within the coastal zone of Sarasota County, Florida. During the summer of 1989, the University of South Florida, Department of Anthropology conducted a comprehensive survey of prehistoric and historical resources situated within the unincorporated portions of Sarasota County's coastal zone (Deming et al. 1990:iv). The primary goals of the project were to identify, evaluate, and recommend protection strategies for prehistoric and historic resources within the study area. Informant interviews, archaeological background research, and systematic field survey resulted in the recording of 60 prehistoric and historic period sites. This report contains a summary of the 1989 project, including an examination of prehistoric sites recorded during the survey, as well as methodology. These cultural resources are discussed in relation to site type, National Register of Historic Places eligibility status, and quality of deposit. Strategies for the protection and preservation of archaeological sites are discussed. Finally, the foundation for a preliminary site predictive model applicable to the coastline is developed, which is based upon topographic position. .