Florida Department of State Celebrates Archaeology Month

Tallahassee –

Secretary of State Ken Detzner today announced that the Florida Department of State will celebrate Archaeology Month in March by hosting special behind-the scene tour events in Tallahassee, to promote Florida’s rich cultural heritage and showcase the state’s important collections of archaeological artifacts.

“As our nation celebrates Archaeology Month in March, I am proud to recognize the important work done by our state archaeologists every day on the ground and underwater, to ensure that we protect, interpret and preserve our state’s precious archaeological heritage,” said Secretary Detzner.  “We join this national effort celebrating Archaeology Month to remind and inform Florida citizens of the wealth of knowledge that archaeology contributes to our understanding of our state and nation’s history. I encourage Florida families to participate in special tours and programs being offered as part of this initiative.”

This year’s Archaeology Month events include:

At the R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee

• Saturday, March 25 - Behind the Scenes Tour – Archaeological Conservation Lab – Tours every hour between 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

See the techniques and process used to preserve state artifacts for display and research in this unique facility. Participants are restricted to eight per 20 minute tour. Due to limited space and the presence of artifacts and chemicals on open tables, children under ten will not be allowed on these tours. For more information or to pre-register for a tour, email Jessica.Stika@dos.myflorida.com.

At Mission San Luis, 2100 W. Tennessee Street, Tallahassee

• Every Wednesday during March – Behind the Scenes Tour – Archaeological Collection of Mission San Luis – Tours at 11 a.m.

Following more than two decades of fieldwork, the archaeological collections of Mission San Luis represent one of the largest and most diverse collections of 17th century Spanish and Apalachee materials available anywhere. For more information, or to pre-register for the Mission San Luis collection tours, call 850.487.0458 or email Jerry.Lee@dos.myflorida.com.

• Saturday, March 25 – Behind the Scenes Tour – The State of Florida’s Archaeological Collection – Tours on the hour at 11 a.m., Noon, and 1 p.m.

Tour the state’s archaeological collections facility to see items from Spanish shipwrecks, prehistoric ceramics and the vast array of artifacts collected on state lands. Tours are limited to 10 visitors at a time. Due to limited space and the presence of artifacts and chemicals on open tables, children under ten will not be allowed on these tours. Following their tour, participants will receive a free pass to visit the Mission.  For more information, or to pre-register for the State collection tours, call 850.245.6324 or email Marie.Prentice@DOS.MyFlorida.com.

For further details about Archaeology Month events taking place in March throughout the state, visit http://fpan.us/FAM/.

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About The Bureau of Archaeological Research

The Florida Department of State’s Bureau of Archaeological Research is entrusted with the maintenance, preservation and protection of more than 12,000 years of Florida heritage. Archaeological and historical resources on state-owned and state-controlled lands, including sovereignty submerged lands, are the direct responsibility of the bureau. State archaeologists carry out archaeological surveys and excavations throughout Florida, primarily on state-owned lands. They maintain records on historical resources that have been recorded, and assist consultants and planners in protecting sites. The state's underwater archaeology program includes historic shipwreck and pre-Columbian underwater sites, some of which are among the oldest human sites in the New World. The Bureau also manages Mission San Luis, a 60-acre world-class archaeological site located in Tallahassee, featuring a fulltime research program, a living history museum and is the only reconstructed Spanish mission in the Southeast. For more information visit flheritage.com/archaeology.

About The Division of Historical Resources

The Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources (DHR) is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. DHR directs historic preservation efforts throughout the state in cooperation with state and federal agencies, local governments, private organizations, and individuals. The director of DHR serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, acting as the liaison with the national historic preservation program conducted by the National Park Service. The Division is comprised of two Bureaus or major program areas: archaeological research and historic preservation. For more information, visit flheritage.com.