[4] At the time of first contact with Spanish explorers, the Alachua culture area was occupied by the historical Potano Indians, a branch of the Timucua.

The most common type of pottery during the Hickory Pond period was the Prairie Cord Marked style.

[8] The Alachua-culture people occupied hardwood hammocks, with village sites on high ground, near streams or sinkholes.

[11] The presence of Cob Marked pottery throughout the period indicates that the people of the Alachua culture grew maize.

This may indicate a reduction in hunting and gathering as food sources, compared to the preceding Cades Pond culture.

Storage pits and indications of other structures, including a circular house at one site, have been found in villages.