Titles for Lectures and Guest Speaking Events

While we are able to adapt and respond to a variety of requests for presentations, below are some of the standards we recommend when meeting a group for the first time.  We are interested in creating long-term partnerships with historical societies, school districts, and civic groups.  Keep in mind March is Florida Archaeology Month and new lectures and often launched at this time in response to the theme selected by the Florida Anthropological Society.

The Standards:

• Archaeology Along the St. Johns River

  The St. Johns River has played an ever changing role in the lives of northeast Floridians for thousands of years.  Prehistorically, the river provided food, transportation, and a geographic conntection between people living from the source to the mouth.  Historically, the river supported missions, plantations, and military outposts.  Exploration is not limited to land; famous archaeological sites on the river's bottom also have been discovered and add to our knowledge of Florida's past.

  Fantastic Archaeology: Florida Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries

  Celebrate Florida archaeology by learning what archaeology is, and importantly what it is not.  This educational and entertaining talk will focus on the misuse and abuse of northeast Florida's past.

  Three Cemeteries and a Funeral: Use of GPR in Historic Cemeteries

  Archaeologists often wish they had x-ray vision to see features below the ground.  With ground penetrating radar (GPR) technology, we can now see different densities as we push mower like machines over the surface.  Learn about small scale surveys taken on by the Center to help local and county entities in northeast Florida.

  How to Bluff Your Way in Florida Archaeology

  Based on Paul Bahn's book this lecture presents the who, what, where, when and why of Florida Archaeology so you can talk shop when next you meet and archaeologist.

  Monumental Architecture Great and Small

  Florida Archaeology Month 2010 focused on prehistoric mounds, large and small.  Learn about the different kinds of mounds found throughout Florida, different materials used to create them, and where you can visit a mound today.

  Coquina: Florida's Pet Rock

  As a supplement to Coquina Queries we are able to come out to festivals and classrooms with a variety of teaching tools.  We can either emphasize ruins in our region made out of coquina, talk about care and conservation, or create stations of hands-on activities in formal and informal settings.

  Tools of the Trade

  One of the best ways to show people how we study a site is to share our tool kit.  Students observe the tools we use in the field and infer the reasoning behind our choices.  For example, many people may know we use a trowel, but what's the difference between the pointy ones versus the flat edge blades?  What would we do that? Tools include trowels (yes, plural!), munsell color chart, line levels, various measuring devices, and root clippers.  The most important?  Our pencil and sharpie for recording our findings.

  Prehistoric Weaponry

  The difference between a tool and a weapon is a matter of intent.  While this can be difficult to ascribe archaeologically, humans have used tools as weapons for over a million years.  This presentation puts better known projectile points in context of their arrival to southeastern North America and discusses biotechnology put into action by Timucuans and other prehistoric people.

  Archaeology in Florida State Parks

  When people first realize archaeology happens in Florida, it often surprises them to hear of how many active permits are issued to do work in state parks.  Some of the digs are by field school where students learn the ABCs of excavation, while other digs are done in advance of construction or improvements to a park.  This lecture emphasizes visitation of the many parks that feature archaeology interpreted for the public including Ft. Mose, Hontoon Island, Crystal River, Bulow Sugar Mill, Ft. Clinch, De Leon Springs, and many more.

  A Florida Shipwreck through Time

  Based on the book Shipwreck: Leap through Time, this talk takes the audience through the stages of a shipwreck--from ship construction to underwater museum.  The issue of piracy in archaeology is addressed, as well as expanding known submerged resources beyond maritime themes.

  PB&J: How (and why!) Archaeologists Find Sites

  A classic!  Using a peanut butter and jelly sandwich the concepts of stratigraphy and survey as emphasized through an archaeologists point of view. 

  Historic Cemeteries as Outdoor Museums

  We encourage families and classes to get into the cemeteries within their communities and put archaeological principles to the test.  This presentation can be brought via Powerpoint or introduced on-site at an actual cemetery.  Iconography, dating of headstones, and change of style over time (seriation) are emphasized along with lessons in cemetery preservation.