Florida Public Archaeology Network - Northwest Region

09/08/2026

We are so excited for our exhibit, Indios Amigos, to travel to our local libraries as part of Honrando Nuestra Historia! 🦋

This bilingual exhibit highlights the vital yet often overlooked contributions of Aztec artisans and warriors who accompanied Tristán de Luna’s 1559 expedition to establish the first permanent Spanish settlement in Pensacola. Drawing from the thesis work of Christina Bolte, the exhibit brings to life the resilience, cultural heritage, and adaptability of these indigenous allies in shaping the early history of La Florida.

Honrando Nuestra Historia (Honoring Our History) is a month-long celebration running from September 15 to October 15. This series engages Latin American communities in archaeology and heritage by creating events and programs that highlight and center their stories.

Don't miss Indios Amigos at a library near you: https://www.fpan.us/events/indios-amigos/

A big thank you to Latino Media Gulf Coast, Inc. for sponsoring this exhibit!

09/07/2026

Curious about what types of artifacts that archaeologists study? Interested in learning about how artifacts can tell us about people in the past? Then you better mark your calendar for Material Mondays! 😁

Come and learn about religious artifacts with Dr. Mary Minkoff on September 14th! This event will be at the FPAN Coordinating Center (207 E. Main St.) from 12-1 p.m. Feel free to bring any snacks or your lunch!
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09/04/2026

Check out the latest edition of our newsletter, Archaeology Digs! 📰

Learn more about upcoming events, meet our new graduate assistants Raleigh and Bella, and read our latest Revolutionary Archaeology segment featuring a British Shipwreck in Bay County: https://buff.ly/wwPGx7T

If you'd like to receive Archaeology Digs direct to your inbox, you can subscribe on our website: https://buff.ly/dxc9Nww

09/03/2026

Our New Graduate Assistant!

Isabella Santilli is a graduate student pursuing her master’s in Historical Archaeology at the University of West Florida. She began her archaeological education at Gulf Coast State College, assisting with archaeological excavations around St. Andrews Bay in Panama City, Florida. After transferring to the University of West Florida to complete her bachelor's, she served as an undergraduate assistant for the volunteer program at St. Michael’s Cemetery and conducted research on the chemical composition of majolica ceramics.

As a graduate student, Isabella serves as the student representative for the Pensacola Archaeological Society, directs the Milton High School Project, assists University of West Florida excavations, and plans to return to St. Andrews Bay for her master’s thesis. Her other interests include Southern cultural studies, the history of Florida tourism, and public archaeology programming.

09/02/2026

Our New Graduate Assistant!

Raleigh just moved down to Pensacola from the West Georgia area, but she's no stranger to public archaeology! She was the education outreach assistant at the Antonio J. Waring, Jr. Center for Public Archaeology in 2025 and has presented research several times on public archaeology methods and practices. She's excited to get involved with FPAN and continue learning about public archaeology while meeting and engaging with new communities!

09/01/2026

Are you a trained Scout for HMS Florida? If so, don't miss our next Heritage Monitoring Scouts Meet-Up on Wednesday, September 9th from 9-12!

HMS Florida is our community science program, where we visit various cultural sites, like cemeteries, archaeological sites, and historic structures, to document any changes or threats to the site. Scouts play a huge part in making sure that Florida's cultural heritage is safeguarded and preserved! We can't wait to see our Scouts out there to monitor our next site!

For more information on our Scout Meet-Up, visit our website at https://buff.ly/3Uw3iPo
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08/21/2026

Today marks the first annual UNESCO International Day of Underwater Cultural Heritage! 🌊🌊

This day celebrates the essential contribution of underwater cultural heritage to science, education and the cultural identity of peoples, and all those who dedicate their time to its protection.

Tune in to UNESCO's livestream on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0CYfHyehd8

Or visit their website to learn more: https://www.unesco.org/en/days/underwater-cultural-heritage

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

08/18/2026

Don't miss the next Virtual Cafecito Lecture this Friday at 10 am with archaeologist Dr. Jonathan Rodriguez. He will share his community-based archaeological research exploring Maroon settlements in Dominica and the search for Chief Jacko’s camp.

Register here: https://fau-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/KMXjoeyiRXaOYWKc2BX_QQ

08/17/2026

Our new fall semester hours in our museum, Destination Archaeology Resource Center, start today!

Come see us on Monday-Saturday from 10 am - 4 pm to learn more about your local archaeology.