UWF Anthropology and Archaeology

Happy Friday!

This week, we're kicking off our "Fieldwork Friday" series with some photos from the UWF archaeological terrestrial and maritime field schools.

Lots of exciting fieldwork is happening this summer in Northwest Florida, so
keep your eyes out for videos and photos sharing different stages and kinds of archaeological excavations!

🧭 Scientific Diver Training week continues for our Maritime Archaeology Field School! Our next post comes from student Jamie T.:

"I didn’t set many expectations going into Scientific Diver Training Week. Having gotten my scuba certification just two weeks before this field school began, I knew that I had a lot to learn compared to my experienced classmates.

I found everyone was more than willing to answer questions, and my dive buddy and I checked in on each other often during our dives. It was fun being challenged by dive skills underwater, like knot tying and mapping. I learned that scientific diving puts a heavy emphasis on collaborative and safe work, and I am quite eager to put my new skills to work!"

🇺🇸 Forgotten Front: Florida During the Revolutionary War

As our nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, join us for a fascinating look at a chapter of Revolutionary War history that is often overlooked: British West Florida.

On Monday, June 1, the UWF Archaeology Institute's Margo Stringfield will explore life in Florida during the Revolutionary War era, when Pensacola served as the capital of British West Florida and remained loyal to the British Crown. Discover how global events shaped our region and learn about the people, cultures, and foodways that defined this unique period in Gulf Coast history.

📍 Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center, 117 E. Government St., Pensacola, FL
📅 June 1, 6–8 p.m.
💲 Free to attend, but registration is required.

Register today using the link below! 👇

https://www.mytbtickets.com/events/forgotten-front-florida-during-the-revolutionary-war-pensacola-6-1-2026

University of West Florida | UWF College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities | Historic Pensacola | Florida Humanities

Forgotten Front: Florida During the Revolutionary War Pensacola Forgotten Front: Florida During the Revolutionary War On July 4, 2026, the United States of America will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Join us for a fascinating look at British foodways during the Revolutionary War period and take home contempor...

🤿🪏 UWF's summer archaeology field schools are off to a great start!

Over the next several weeks, we'll feature student posts and photos that highlight the amazing work happening in the field. Our first post comes from student Rebecca W.:

"This is the first week of UWF’s Maritime Archaeology Field School and is also Scientific Diver Training week, which has been filled with learning, meeting incredible people, and having fun in the water.

Early in the week, we focused on dry-land archaeology skills like mapping and compass navigation to make sure we didn’t get lost. Later in the week, we took our skills underwater: first in the pool and then in Pensacola Bay.

Scientific Diver Training week has given us a great starting point for the rest of the field school by focusing on clear expectations and safety, as well as forming friendships and trust among our fellow divers. I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks of diving; hopefully we have some cool stories by the end of this summer!"

University of West Florida | UWF College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities | Florida Division of Historical Resources | Register of Professional Archaeologists | The Society for Historical Archaeology | Advisory Council on Underwater Archaeology

Pensacola’s role in the American Revolution is getting national attention! ✨

We’re excited to see the UWF Archaeology Institute’s Margo Stringfield and our region’s rich Revolutionary-era history featured in a recent The New York Times travel feature by historian Jack E. Davis, highlighting the Gulf Coast’s often-overlooked connections to America’s founding. From the Siege of Pensacola to the legacy of Bernardo de Gálvez, West Florida played an important role in the global story of the Revolution.

Want to learn more? Be sure to visit the new “Road to Revolution” exhibit at the Pensacola Museum of History and explore how Pensacola’s past connects to the upcoming America 250 commemoration. We’re excited to help share these stories and continue exploring Northwest Florida’s incredible archaeology and history!

Read more below 👇

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/20/travel/gulf-coast-revolutionary-war.html?unlocked_article_code=1.kFA.ttHR.YD-cJuAT43OO&smid=nytcore-ios-share

University of West Florida | UWF College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities | Historic Pensacola | City of Pensacola - Government

Ghosts of the Gulf Coast: The Unsung Revolutionary War Campaign (Gift Article) Far from the main action, the Spanish fought to reclaim Southern territory from the British, tying up their forces and aiding the American cause. We follow their path along the Gulf of Mexico.

Thank you, WUWF, for sharing our team’s incredible efforts to support historic cemetery preservation in Pensacola and throughout Florida! 🪦

We also extend a special thanks to the Florida Division of Historical Resources for making this work possible through their grants program.

University of West Florida | UWF College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities | City of Pensacola - Government | Oak and Laurel Cemetery Preservation, LLC

UWF leads restoration of century-old vernacular markers at Pensacola's Magnolia Cemetery The University of West Florida has been working to complete the restoration of 100-year-old vernacular, or hand constructed, burial markers at Magnolia Cemetery in Pensacola.

🔎 What’s beneath our campus? A story thousands of years in the making!

Students and faculty from the UWF Archaeology Institute and the Department of Anthropology recently uncovered a precontact archaeological site during survey work tied to upcoming stadium improvements. Artifacts and features connect the site to Native American cultures dating from 600 to 1600 CE.

Even more impactful: UWF students are leading the way in the field, gaining hands-on experience in real archaeological research while helping document and protect our region’s heritage.

This work also reflects UWF’s commitment to responsible development, student success, and the preservation of the stories that shape our community!

Read more: https://news.uwf.edu/uwf-archaeology-institute-survey-uncovers-pre-columbian-artifacts-ahead-of-stadium-infrastructure-work/

📸: University of West Florida

University of West Florida | UWF College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities | Florida Division of Historical Resources

🎉 Even more congratulations are in order: this time to Dr. Ramie Gougeon on receiving the University of West Florida’s 2026 Marion Viccars Award!

This prestigious honor recognizes outstanding leadership, service, and impact. Dr. Gougeon exemplifies all three. As Chair of the Department of Anthropology and Acting Director of the Archaeology Institute, his collaborative leadership has expanded student opportunities and elevated UWF’s presence across the region. Dr. Gougeon has also provided a steady vision for advancing major archaeological projects, mentoring faculty, and fostering meaningful partnerships.

We’re thrilled to celebrate this well-deserved recognition of his dedication to students, colleagues, and community!

UWF College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities | University of West Florida

🎉 Congratulations to our own Roc Jarvis on receiving a 2026 UWF Student Government Association Distinguished Staff Award!

As Lab Manager for the UWF Archaeology Institute, Roc creates a welcoming, hands-on learning environment while mentoring students and sharing real-world experience in cultural resource management. Roc was nominated by the students he works with in the lab, which speaks to the meaningful impact he has made in less than a year since taking on the role.

We’re proud of the supportive space Roc has built and the lasting connections he fosters across our campus community!

University of West Florida | UWF College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities

Thank you, University of West Florida, for sharing this recent honor from The Society for Historical Archaeology! Working with our partners to preserve history and archaeology in Apalachicola, Florida, has been incredibly rewarding. We look forward to building on this research in the near future!

If you are interested in the outcomes of the "People of the Apalachicola System" project, as well as reports and publicly available data, visit our page via the NOAA National Estuarine Research Reserve System Science Collaborative: https://nerrssciencecollaborative.org/project/Grinnan23

Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve - Friends of the Reserve | University of St Andrews | Northwest Florida Maritime Landscape Alliance for Preservation | Florida Public Archaeology Network - Northwest Region | East Tennessee State University | UWF College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities

UWF Archaeology Institute receives international award for research - University of West Florida Newsroom 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. This prestigious international award recognizes the Archaeology Institute.....