Research, Service and Education
The University of West Florida Archaeology Institute's research focuses on Northwest Florida pre-contact, the Spanish and British colonial periods.
Archaeological Services
The University of West Florida Archaeology Institute has conducted archaeological research in Northwest Florida since the early 1980s. The Institute has focused its research on Northwest Florida pre-contact, the Spanish and British colonial periods, and the American territorial period.
The Archaeology Institute serves the northwest Florida region not only through its academic and extensive public outreach programs, but also by providing professional archaeological services and consulting for historic preservation and cultural resource management undertakings.
Anthropology and Archaeology Research
The Archaeology Institute is part of a larger team of researchers including the Department of Anthropology, Florida Public Archaeology Network, and Marine Services Center. See current and past research of the Division of Anthropology and Archaeology on the research page.
Public Involvement and Outreach
Public involvement is the heart of the archaeology program at UWF. Archaeologists from the Institute and Anthropology Department strive to include the public every step of the way in all archaeology endeavors, large or small. This reputation of archaeological outreach brings the community and university closer together through the shared experience of uncovering the past of Pensacola and northwest Florida. Discovering and exploring sites is an exciting part of archaeology and help is always welcome! Volunteers work side-by-side with UWF students, staff and professors, sharing ideas and new insights into the past.
Museums, Exhibits and Parks
Pensacola and the surrounding area brim with indoor and outdoor museums and exhibits, many of them related to UWF excavations, that illuminate the history of the region. Free exhibits on Florida's archaeological history can be found at the Archaeology Institute on UWF's campus and the Florida Public Archaeology Network headquarters in downtown Pensacola. More information on these indoor exhibits and additional outdoor ones is available on the Museums, Exhibits and Parks page.
Talks and Tours
UWF archaeologists often provide free talks on archaeological topics and tours of archaeological sites to civic clubs, special interest groups and local schools.