Annual Meeting and Conference

THE 77th ANNUAL MEETING & CONFERENCE
Gainesville, Florida – May 9-11, 2025

The Florida Archaeological Council (FAC) and the Department of Anthropology at the University of Florida invites you to the 77th Annual Meeting of the Florida Anthropological Society in Gainesville, May 9-11, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel and Conference Center just across from the University of Florida.

This event marks 23 years since FAC published the “Thinking about Significance” volume. This publication was monumental at the time and has been a reference to many in the years since. But our understanding of what archaeological significance is has shifted dramatically during the last two decades as our understanding of the archaeological record has grown and as the dialogue surrounding archaeology has expanded to include a larger, more diverse stakeholder group. Papers on all topics are welcomed, but it is hoped there will be a focus on “significance”, including the interpretation of site and artifact significance in relation to historic preservation, significance in interpretation and presentation, how different “groups” view significance, and how our understanding and evaluation of significance has changed as the perspectives of indigenous and other underrepresented stakeholders are integrated into archaeological discussions.

Cost is $65 for members and $75 for non-members. The student rate is $30.

THESE RATES RISE BY $10 ON APRIL 1


GET READY TO SUBMIT PAPER AND POSTER PRESENTATIONS
We encourage submissions on a broad range of topics pertaining to Florida anthropology, archaeology, history, and other related disciplines. Presentations will occur on Saturday, May 10, 2025. You must agree to the FAS code of ethics to present at the conference. An abstract of no more than 100 words is required from each presenter. Individuals may submit only one paper or poster as the first author for consideration. A 20 minute time limit for each paper presentation will be strictly enforced. All presenters must register and pay the appropriate registration fee at the time they submit their abstract.

Abstracts deadline is Sunday, March 30, 2025


The deadline for proposing an organized session, panel discussion, or other special programs associated with the conference is Saturday, March 1, 2025. Send questions and organized session submissions to Jen Knutson at jenknutson@southalabama.edu

THINKING ABOUT SIGNIFICANCE - AN ALL DAY WORKSHOP THINK-TANK EVENT

It has been over 20 years since FAC published the “Thinking about Significance” volume. Two years ago a preliminary talking session was held at the FAS annual meeting in St. Augustine. This year FAC will host a day long session to continue the Significance discussion.  FAC hopes this opportunity will bring together participants from a large and diverse group that will allow for a dynamic and engaging discussion of our understanding of the archaeological record, what significance means, and how we can evaluate it.  Anyone may attend this workshop even if you are not attending the rest of the conference. You do not have to be a professional archaeologist or work in a related field. It’s your chance to be a part of the overall conversation about archaeology as it is today and to come.

A LINK TO DOWNLOAD A PDF OF THE ORIGINAL VOLUME WILL BE IN THIS SPOT SOON

More details to follow, but both in-person and virtual options will be available for the May workshop. In-person attendees will be provided with a light lunch. A registration fee of $5 is requested for both virtual and in-person attendees to cover costs.
USE THE FORM ON THE RIGHT TAB TO REGISTER FOR THIS SEPARATELY FROM CONFERENCE REGISTRATION. 

READ A REVIEW OF THE ORIGINAL VOLUME

Thinking about Significance
Edited by Robert J. Austin, Kathleen S. Hoffman, and George R. Ballo.
Special Publication Series No. i, Riverview: Florida Archaeological Council,
Inc., 2002; 242 pp.

The issues discussed in Thinking about Significance are core to the policy and practice of historic preservation. The evaluation of a property in order to make decisions about preservation (or destruction) should never be routine, as the stakes are high. The contributors to this collection of papers and proceedings from a professional development workshop sponsored by the Florida Archaeological Council in 2001 include representatives of federal and state agencies, tribes, consulting firms, and academia.

In focusing on the big question of what we consider significant and why, the editors state that the most important result of the workshop—and the clear message of this book—is that current challenges “require us to change our thinking about almost everything—the goals of archaeology, how archaeology will be practiced, what is significant, and how to incorporate the views and opinions of other ethnic groups into the decision making process.”

The National Register of Historic Places, the Florida Division of Historical Resources, the Florida Department of Transportation, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation provide agency perspectives on the topic. The issues that are emphasized in the papers and discussion include the important but imperfectly realized role of historic contexts, the critical importance of listening to Native perspectives, the challenges of evaluating redundant resources and resources from the recent past, and the need for creative strategies to protect sites.

The Miccosukee Tribe and the Florida and Oklahoma Seminole tribes provide Native American perspectives. Woven through these viewpoints are major differences and commonalities between Western and Native worldviews, including the latter’s understanding of the sacredness and interconnectedness of all things, the importance of consultation, the usefulness of archeology from a Native perspective, and the advantages of working together towards the common goal of protecting resources.

Archeologists working in the private sector and in the academy provide their perspective, including professional responsibilities and innovative methods for making significance evaluations more consistent. In addition, and core to the ongoing challenges of the profession, participants argue for a more rigorous archeology that can fully and fairly evaluate the contentious site categories of archeological resources of the 20th century and surface sites comprised of undiagnostic stone artifacts—the lithic scatters familiar to archeologists everywhere.

The concluding chapter is worth the price of the book. In it, the authors challenge their profession to change the way that it thinks about the past and how it practices archeology. This collection defines three challenges: what should be considered significant, how do we determine significance, and who should make that determination.

It is clear that one of the most effective tools for deciding the first question lies in the use and continual updating of state historic contexts because they provide the framework within which significance can be evaluated. Related to this is the need to acknowledge and address individual biases of the evaluator and researcher, culturally relative values, and values other than scientific ones. The second question encompasses further questions:  Where we should spend our limited resources and, more broadly, ask what is the goal of preservation?  What is the role of the National Register of Historic Places, and what should we do about places that are worthy of preserving but whose values do not fit under the National Register criteria?

As for the third question of who should make significance determinations, there are widely differing opinions, although there is agreement that all points of view need to be considered.

The editors have 14 recommendations for moving the profession to think differently, from expanding the significance concept to addressing inclusiveness and alternative viewpoints, and adopting a nonlinear view of the world. The editors recognize that the inclusion of Native American concerns has been the source of major changes in archeology since the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990. In addition, the editors advocate that their colleagues learn from Native Americans to “truly embrace the idea that the past is very much alive today and actively informs the present, and that the present is nothing more than the future unfolding.”

In addition to introductory and concluding articles, three major sections address government agency issues, Native American issues, and archeological issues. A historical overview of the development of cultural resources management in Florida provides an orientation to state-specific laws, rules, and practice, and should be useful to those who work outside of Florida as comparative information.

The issues raised throughout this book, however, are relevant to practitioners across the country. An appendix summarizes applicable federal laws as well as state statutes and rules. The inclusion of transcriptions of comments and discussion for each of these three major topics is important because the Native American perspectives at the workshop were nearly entirely spoken rather than written. The transcripts also add the workshop flavor to the publication and remind the reader that the issues are not resolved, but continue to appropriately trouble historic preservation practitioners in Florida and everywhere else.

Barbara J. Little
National Park Service

Thinking About Significance Workshop

If you would like to participate in the Thinking About Significance workshop during the 77th Annual Meeting in Gainesville (or via Zoom session) on Friday, May 9, 2025, please provide your information and answers to the below for future communications. There is a $5 registration for this workshop to cover costs. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE PAYPAL TRANSACTION IN ORDER TO BE REGISTERED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WORKSHOP. Thank you for your interest and support.
Name(Required)
1. Which of the following best explains your connection to archaeology?

2. Have you read the 2002 Thinking about Significance?
3. What are some areas or topics that you feel needs discussion or guidance on evaluating significance?
If you are interested in time period/culture period/group specific questions or significance attributes, can you share who would you consider a subject matter expert for any of the following: Pre-Paleoindian, early/late Paleoindian, Early/Middle/Late Archaic, Early/Middle/Late Woodland, Mississippian, Early Contact, Colonial, Florida Territorial/Seminole War, 19th Century Historic, 20th Century Historic. Or add other topics and experts for consideration.
5. What do you want the result of this series of discussions to be?
Add an explanation in the Other box
6. What format(s) would you like to see be the "final" product of this session?
7. Is there a difference in how CRM practitioners vs agency archaeologists vs academic archaeologists view significance?
Add an explanation in the Other box
8. Should there be a difference? Add an explanation in the Other box if you would like.
Add an explanation in the Other box
Price: $5.00
NOTE: If you are attending the in-person event in Gainesville on Friday, May 9, there will be a light lunch included.
Conference Hotel

The Hilton Hotel and Conference Center, located at 1714 SW 34th St, Gainesville, FL 32607, is offering a discounted rate of $185/night.  Please check this link to book rooms at the Hilton (https://group.hilton.com/4mf3h5).

A list of other nearby hotel recommendations will be posted here as soon as they are available.

WELCOME RECEPTION

Attendees are invited to a welcome reception at the Swamp Head Brewery located at 3650 SW 42nd Ave, Gainesville, FL 32608 on Friday, May 9 from 6:00-8:00 PM.

Opening comments and social hour. Drinks and light hors d’oeuvres provided. Free for all conference registrants.

FAS Awards Banquet & Keynote Speaker Presentation

On Saturday evening, attendees can enjoy a cocktail hour and buffet in the beautiful banquet area at the Hilton. 

Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Charles Cobb, a James E. Lockwood, Jr., Professor of Historical Archaeology at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville.

Twenty-First Century Perspectives on Sixteenth-Century Entradas in La Florida

Although archaeologists have long been keenly interested in the routes of the first Spanish explorers in greater La Florida, by the close of the 20th century this kind of research had somewhat languished. The slowdown was due in part to the fact that most Indigenous sites related to the expeditions had been discovered through the discovery of European objects in mortuary contexts, and archaeologists now attempt to avoid disturbing Indigenous ancestral remains. In the past decade there has been a renaissance of activity on potential entrada sites, spurred in large part by the introduction of systematic metal detecting of the habitation areas of 16th century Indigenous settlements. This presentation will summarize how the Colonial Encounters Research Consortium (CERCa), a group of archaeologists working across multiple states, is implementing these methods and shedding new light on interactions between Native American and European peoples.

SUNDAY SPECIAL TOURS & ACTIVITIES

With lunch: $30 early registration or $35 late registration.
Without lunch: $15 early registration or $20 late registration.
Space for each tour is limited to 30 people. Bus transportation to the tours is being arranged. Hours are approximately 8:30AM to Lunchtime.
ONLY SELECT ONE TOUR AS THEY TAKE PLACE AT THE SAME TIME AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. 

Dudley Farm Historic State Park Tour:

This park in Newberry was designated as a National Historic Landmark on Jan. 13, 2021. The farm received this designation for its exceptional ability to illustrate the history of owner-operator farms in the southern U.S. in the late 19th and 20th centuries. Participants will get a guided tour of the farms and an opportunity to learn about a recent collaboration between the State Park, the Friends of the State Park, and Archaeological Consultants, Inc. to preserve the Perkins House, which was located outside of the Dudley Farms Historic State Park boundaries but was associated with the farm. Research found that the building is significant, as it provides insight into the lives of Black individuals – specifically, formerly enslaved Black individuals – living and working in the post- reconstruction agricultural community of Alachua County. Although the house is not fully restored, participants will have a chance to see it and learn more about this project.
MORE ABOUT THIS STATE PARK

Newnans Lake Archaeological Site Tour:

Take a hike with Ken Sassaman around Lake Newnan, east of Gainesville, where 101 dugout canoes were documented in nearshore sediments exposed by drought 25 years ago. The 1.25-mile trail to the lake passes through forests, meadows, and wetlands encasing the archaeological traces of those who plied the lake waters since at least the Middle Archaic period. Ongoing investigation of the Hanson Bluff site (8AL5763) on the western shore aims to document land-use practices relative to changing lake levels since the early Holocene. A new boardwalk and observation deck courtesy of Florida Forest Service provides an exceptional view of the lake. Limited parking is available at the trailhead, so carpooling is recommended. Transportation from the trailhead to the site can be arranged for anyone who may have difficulty walking the 2.5-mile round trip circuit.
MORE ABOUT NEWNANS LAKE

Florida Museum of Natural History Behind the Scenes:

We all know the beautiful FLMNH that is located across from the conference hotel. But unfortunately, it will be under renovation during the conference, so we won’t be able to check it out. BUT never fear you can visit the original museum in Dickinson Hall and learn more about how the archaeological collections there are stored, processed, preserved, and researched. Participants will also be able to learn more about the various reference collections available for researchers and maybe even a sneak peek at some of the paleontology collections!

MORE ABOUT DICKINSON HALL
J.C. Dickinson, Jr. Hall, home to the Museum since 1970, now exclusively houses collections and research activities. Dickinson Hall is visited mostly by scientists and university students engaged in collections-based natural history research.  THIS BUILDING IS NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Visitors must make an appointment with a staff member to gain entrance, SO this tour will be truly special for those who might not ordinarily gain access.

FMNH THE COLLECTIONS

FPAN Historic Cemetery Tour and Preservation Short Course:


The Florida Public Archaeology Network offers an amazing Cemetery Resource Protection Training workshop that has helped professional and avocational preservationists alike learn more about researching, documenting, protecting, and preserving historic cemeteries throughout Florida. Participants in this tour will visit a local historic cemetery and get an introduction to cemetery preservation.

ABOUT CRPT
The Cemetery Resource Protection Training workshop focuses on cemetery care and protection. Participants explore cemeteries as historical resources while learning about laws that protect them, conserving headstone and markers, managing cemetery landscapes, and practicing hands-on headstone cleaning with a D-2 solution. By the end of the course, participants are well-versed in issues surrounding basic protection of historic cemeteries and are encouraged to fill out at least one Florida Master Site File to record a historic cemetery over the next year.

STUDENT PRIZES, GRANTS, AND AWARDS COMPETITION

Undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in degree granting collegiate programs are encouraged to compete for a prize. The student must submit a paper of original research that contributes to our understanding of Florida’s cultural history.

Contestants must be registered for the conference and submit a copy of their paper by Friday, April 11, 2025. The written paper cannot exceed 2,500 words and must be typed and double-spaced. Students are required to make an oral presentation, drawn directly from their written paper at the FAS annual meeting on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Past first place winners of the student paper prize are not eligible. Judging criteria for student papers and oral presentations include quality of writing, overall presentation, quality of arguments and supporting data, and overall contribution to our understanding of Florida’s cultural past and/or present.

Prizes will be awarded during the Saturday evening banquet (the winner receives a banquet ticket). Email questions and student paper submissions to Jen Knutson at jenknutson@southalabama.edu.


DOT MOORE AWARD
The Florida Anthropological Society (FAS) is making available $1000 to be awarded annually to archaeology students (B.A., M.A., or Ph.D.) who are currently enrolled at a Florida university. The grant money will assist students conducting archaeological research in Florida. Grant funds can be used to cover the costs associated with archaeological fieldwork, special analyses (e.g., radiocarbon dates, faunal or botanical analyses, soils analysis, etc.), and, in some cases, travel expenses
associated with presenting a paper based on the student’s research at a professional meeting. Students interested in applying for the grant should submit a letter, not to exceed two pages, that describes the project for which the funds are being requested; what research question(s) or problem(s) are being addressed; how the funds will be applied to these problems; what, if any, additional funds will be used to accomplish the research; and how the research will contribute to Florida archaeology.

The applicant should include a budget indicating the amount requested and describing how the money will be spent along with a letter(s) of support from faculty. Applications for the 2025 award are now being accepted and can be sent to:
Greg Hendryx, via email to greg@searchinc.com. Application deadline is March 31, 2025.