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UWF Archaeology Research

The University of West Florida specializes in research in the Northwest Florida region. Explore the following pages to learn more about Archaeology and our local history.


Luna Settlement Project
A scuba diver jumps into Pensacola Bay off a small white diving platform with a blue canopy

The Luna Settlement project is a collaboration between the terrestrial and maritime sides of the UWF Archaeology program investigating the 1559 attempt by Tristan de Luna to establish a Spanish settlement.  The project explores the colonial land settlement along with three shipwrecks resting just off shore.  

Tristan de Luna y Arellano
Cemeteries
An image taken from a drone showing St. Michaels Cemetery

The UWF Archaeology team is actively involved in cemetery research in Pensacola and the nearby research.  This work has included the establishment of the Pensacola Area Cemetery Team (PACT) as well as mapping and preservation efforts at many historic cemeteries

Cemeteries
Pre-Contact Archaeology
Archaeology students excavate small shovel test units

UWF Archaeologists have performed survey, testing, and excavation level investigations at a wide range of prehistoric site types in the West Florida area including shell middens, shell rings, non-shell middens, mounds, and cemeteries

Pre-Contact
Colonial
Graduate and Undergraduate students excavate features at an archaeological site in the Pensacola Area

Pensacola was one of a handful of colonial period communities in the Southeastern United States. Colonial historical archaeology is a major focus of UWF Archaeology

Colonial
Industrial
Archaeology students excavate a unit at the Arcadia Mill Homestead site

West Florida had a significant water-powered mill industry in the Early American and Colonial Periods. Find out more about the mills and industrial sites researched by UWF Archaeologists

Industrial
Maritime
A Maritime Archaeology student jumps off the old Dive Platform

Maritime Archaeology at the University of West Florida is dedicated to the preservation of submerged cultural resources in northwest Florida and the southeastern United States.

Maritime