archaeology Archives - University of West Florida Newsroom

UWF Archaeology Institute receives international award for research

University of West Florida — Wed, 28 Jan 2026 14:30:00 +0000

UWF Archaeology Institute receives international award for research

A multi-organizational research team led by the UWF Archaeology Institute’s assistant director, Nicole Grinnan, has been awarded the 2026 Mark E. Mack Community Engagement award from the Society for Historical Archaeology.

UWF secures $1.5M U.S. DOE grant to expand civic education opportunities

University of West Florida — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 15:02:01 +0000

UWF secures $1.5M U.S. DOE grant to expand civic education opportunities

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded a three-year, $1,555,318 million grant to the University of West Florida to expand the UWF Summer Institute for Civics Educators into the Academy of American Civic Republicanism. The new Academy will provide year-round opportunities to strengthen civic education for K-12 teachers, UWF students and the Northwest Florida community.

UWF announces 2025-26 Gulf Coast Culture Series: Pensacola Noir

University of West Florida — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 14:48:05 +0000

UWF announces 2025-26 Gulf Coast Culture Series: Pensacola Noir

The University of West Florida’s College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities is proud to announce this year’s Gulf Coast Culture Series theme: Pensacola Noir. The Gulf Coast Culture Series is an evolution of the longstanding Experience UWF Downtown Lecture Series. Launched in 2024, GCC expands beyond lectures to celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of the U.S. Gulf Coast Region through events linked by yearly themes.

UWF student selected for Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency paid internship

University of West Florida — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:30:00 +0000

UWF student selected for Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency paid internship

Phoenix Farnham, a graduate student in the University of West Florida’s Department of Anthropology, was selected for a paid internship with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, a highly competitive program focused on forensic anthropology. Farnham was one of only six students nationwide chosen for this prestigious opportunity out of a pool of 135 applicants. The internship is funded by the Department of the Navy, Office of Naval Research through partnership with DPAA.

UWF archaeologists turn real discoveries into children’s book series

University of West Florida — Wed, 06 Aug 2025 13:30:00 +0000

UWF archaeologists turn real discoveries into children’s book series

Two University of West Florida archaeologists have transformed their passion for public outreach and historical storytelling into a new children’s book inspired by real archaeological discoveries made off the Florida coast. “Luna the Cat,” follows a feline protagonist on board a Spanish ship in the 1500s and is based on a real-life cat whose remains were uncovered at the site of the 1559 Emanuel Point shipwrecks excavated by UWF archaeologists.

UWF invites community to Sunken Series art exhibit

University of West Florida — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 13:30:00 +0000

UWF invites community to Sunken Series art exhibit

The University of West Florida College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities announces "After Hours with the Artist: Sunken Series," a compelling cross-disciplinary collaboration between the Florida Public Archaeology Network and The Art Gallery at UWF that blends art, archaeology and public engagement in a novel way. This after-hours event highlights the work of artist Jenna Zydlo, whose Sunken Series exhibit reimagines maritime archaeology through intricately crafted ceramics inspired by a fictional 17th-18th century Spanish shipwreck.

UWF faculty member receives national attention for insights on the earliest US domestic cats

University of West Florida — Thu, 22 May 2025 13:30:00 +0000

UWF faculty member receives national attention for insights on the earliest US domestic cats

Dr. John Bratten, a University of West Florida professor of anthropology, has received national attention for a recently published article, titled “Exploring the Arrival of Domestic Cats in the Americas,” that suggests the earliest cats may have been treated as pets.

UWF LEAD program restores historic anchor for exhibition at UWF Archaeology Institute

University of West Florida — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 18:30:00 +0000

UWF LEAD program restores historic anchor for exhibition at UWF Archaeology Institute

A historic 1800s anchor which had been housed in the dark has been brought into the light, following the efforts of a campuswide leadership program. Faculty and staff of UWF’s 2024-25 LEAD, which stands for leadership, enhancement, activities and development, class worked with the Archaeology Institute to prepare the anchor for outdoor exhibition and create an exhibit space at the Archaeology Institute on UWF’s Pensacola campus. Previously, the anchor had been stored for curation in the University’s archaeological collections facilities after being sent to UWF for conservation in 2014.

UWF students investigate Fort Kirkland to preserve a vital part of Northwest Florida history

University of West Florida — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 18:30:00 +0000

UWF students investigate Fort Kirkland to preserve a vital part of Northwest Florida history

The University of West Florida Archaeology Institute is leading the search for Fort Kirkland in Okaloosa County, Florida, thanks to a $250,000 grant from the Department of State. UWF students, faculty, archaeologists, local families and veterans with Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation are working together to study and memorialize the fort.

UWF students explore the Luna settlement and the Emanuel Point III shipwreck

University of West Florida — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 17:31:47 +0000

UWF students explore the Luna settlement and the Emanuel Point III shipwreck

The University of West Florida’s Archaeology Institute recently wrapped up its summer field schools. Thirty-nine undergraduate and graduate students participated in either a maritime field school or terrestrial field school, with unmatched opportunities to conduct archaeological investigations. The terrestrial field school was led by Dr. Ramie Gougeon, director of the Archaeology Institute, chair and professor, and the maritime field school was run by Dr. Greg Cook, associate professor, and Dr. John Bratten, professor of anthropology, with assistance from the Archaeology Institute's Will Wilson, marine archaeologist.

UWF President Emeritus Dr. Judith Bense named to Florida Women’s Hall of Fame

University of West Florida — Tue, 29 Oct 2019 21:17:53 +0000

UWF President Emeritus Dr. Judith Bense named to Florida Women’s Hall of Fame

University of West Florida President Emeritus Dr. Judith Bense is a new member of the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame. The Florida Commission on the Status of Women inducted Bense during a ceremony on Oct. 28, 2019, in Orlando.

UWF faculty recognized for commitment to historic preservation Bense awarded prestigious honor

University of West Florida — Wed, 29 May 2019 14:22:54 +0000

UWF faculty recognized for commitment to historic preservation Bense awarded prestigious honor

University of West Florida President Emeritus Dr. Judith Bense was recently named the 2019 recipient of the Evelyn Fortune Bartlett Award, the most prestigious award presented by the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation. Bense was one of three UWF faculty members honored during the 41st Annual Preservation Awards Ceremony, held May 17 at the Pensacola Little Theatre.

FPAN plays key role in training wounded warriors to search for missing WWII service members

University of West Florida — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 13:30:13 +0000

FPAN plays key role in training wounded warriors to search for missing WWII service members

The Florida Public Archaeology Network, a program of the Division of Anthropology and Archaeology at the University of West Florida, recently teamed up with East Carolina University’s Program in Maritime Studies and the Task Force Dagger Foundation to create a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for wounded U.S. Special Operations Command service members.

Public invited to grand opening of UWF Historic Trust Arcadia Homestead

University of West Florida — Tue, 05 Mar 2019 14:30:06 +0000

Public invited to grand opening of UWF Historic Trust Arcadia Homestead

The University of West Florida Historic Trust’s Arcadia Mill Archaeological Site will host the grand opening of the Arcadia Homestead on Saturday, March 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The addition provides a new cultural resource and heritage tourism destination in Northwest Florida.

Anthropologists Testing Recovery Methods for Artifacts

rconn — Tue, 30 May 2017 19:52:56 +0000

Anthropologists Testing Recovery Methods for Artifacts

Pensacola – University of West Florida anthropologists are conducting a study comparing two methods used to recover precious artifacts.

Professor receives NEH summer stipend to study skeletal remains in Italy

University of West Florida — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 14:06:03 +0000

Professor receives NEH summer stipend to study skeletal remains in Italy

Dr. Kristina Killgrove, an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of West Florida, received a summer stipend from the National Endowment for the Humanities to study skeletal remains of victims of the 79 A.D. Mount Vesuvius volcano eruption.

UWF Student Scholars Symposium to highlight research, creative work of students and faculty

University of West Florida — Fri, 07 Apr 2017 14:08:30 +0000

UWF Student Scholars Symposium to highlight research, creative work of students and faculty

The public is invited to attend the University of West Florida Students Scholar Symposium and Faculty Research Showcase from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 20. Activities will be held in the Commons, the Conference Center and the Music Hall of the Center for Fine and Performing Arts.

Society for American Archaeology honors UWF professor for public education

University of West Florida — Wed, 05 Apr 2017 14:09:36 +0000

Society for American Archaeology honors UWF professor for public education

Dr. Kristina Killgrove, bioarchaeologist and assistant professor of anthropology at the University of West Florida, was selected by the Society for American Archaeology to receive its 2017 Award for Excellence in Public Education. She accepted the award during the SAA 82nd Annual Meeting, March 29 - April 2, 2017, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

New walking-tour app brings Pensacola’s history alive

University of West Florida — Wed, 23 Nov 2016 15:00:51 +0000

New walking-tour app brings Pensacola’s history alive

The University of West Florida Historic Trust is introducing “Florida Stories,” a new walking-tour mobile app to enhance the visitor experience in historic Pensacola. A launch event will be held in front of the T.T. Wentworth Jr. Florida State Museum on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 10 a.m.

UWF archaeology program discovers third shipwreck from Luna fleet

University of West Florida — Fri, 21 Oct 2016 15:10:40 +0000

UWF archaeology program discovers third shipwreck from Luna fleet

The University of West Florida archaeology program announced today the discovery of a third shipwreck from the Spanish fleet linked to Tristán de Luna y Arellano's 16th century expedition to modern-day Pensacola. The discovery comes less than one year after UWF archaeologists identified the terrestrial site of Luna's colony in a developed neighborhood in Pensacola, marking the earliest multi-year European settlement in the U.S.

UWF to announce archaeological discovery

University of West Florida — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 14:00:03 +0000

UWF to announce archaeological discovery

WHAT: The University of West Florida archaeology program will host a press conference to announce an archaeological discovery in Pensacola.

Mike Thomin of the Florida Public Archaeology Network receives Museum Excellence Award

University of West Florida — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 14:00:43 +0000

Mike Thomin of the Florida Public Archaeology Network receives Museum Excellence Award

On Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, Mike Thomin of the Florida Public Archaeology Network received the 2016 Museum Excellence Award from the Florida Association of Museums. The award was presented during the FAM Annual Conference held at the Old Christ Church in Pensacola, Florida, with an awards reception following at the Pensacola Museum of Art.

UWF Grad Student Searches for Lost Huguenot Settlement

rconn — Wed, 04 May 2016 19:51:05 +0000

UWF Grad Student Searches for Lost Huguenot Settlement

Pensacola – While stories fill history books about immigrants who came to Colonial America and thrived, not as much is known about those who didn’t succeed.

Florida Public Archaeology Network celebrates awards for two staff members

University of West Florida — Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:00:13 +0000

Florida Public Archaeology Network celebrates awards for two staff members

The Florida Public Archaeology Network, a program of the Division of Anthropology and Archaeology at the University of West Florida, celebrates two recent awards for FPAN staff. At a recent Society for Historical Archaeology meeting, Dr. William B. Lees and Mike Thomin were recognized for their outstanding contributions to the field.