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Underwater Archaeology @ Florida OCHP

Uncurated Collections Study

At its July 2009 meeting the Florida Historical Commission addressed uncurated archaeological collections in the state. This has been a matter of continuing concern that the Florida Archaeological Council considered in 2004 and 2005 when it supported the construction of a new state archaeological facility. Since that time, Bureau of Archaeological Research collections have been housed in a larger curation center, but the volume of artifacts resulting from projects on private lands continues to grow.

In response to the Commission’s concern, the Bureau of Archaeological Research has employed Jim Miller, former bureau chief and state archaeologist, to do the following:

  1. conduct an objective analysis of the current Florida situation regarding archaeological collections,
  2. compile and summarize information on collections issues in other states,
  3. identify innovative trends in collection management policy, and
  4. develop recommendations for a Florida archaeological collections strategy.

At its September 2009 meeting this week, the Commission expressed its support for this approach. Through June 30, 2010, Jim will compile existing and new data on Florida archaeological collections (including the previous FAC survey) review current professional literature and canvas Florida CRM firms. Through surveys, emails, phone calls and site visits, Jim will research specific policies and practices of private consulting firms, estimate the total volume of collections held by firms and organizations, assess costs to store and curate such material and review curation methods like catalog systems, databases and storage.

He is interested to talk with knowledgeable individuals in and outside Florida and review current trends and policies elsewhere from which we might learn something. Jim will prepare a report and draft recommendations on review and compliance activities that result in collections, possible changes in practices by consulting firms, potential facility needs and other issues.

If you or your organization has significant archaeological collections that are not permanently curated, we will want to include you in this study. We are concentrating on the period 1997-2008, but will be glad for information covering any time period. Please take some time to review your holdings, including associated records and documents, and be prepared to discuss the following:

Thank you very much for your help in addressing this important matter that continues to concern us all as Florida archaeologists.

Ryan J. Wheeler, Ph.D.
State Archaeologist and Chief,
Bureau of Archaeological Research

B. Calvin Jones Center for Archaeology at the Governor Martin House
1001 de Soto Park Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone: 850.245.6301
FAX: 850.245.6452
E-mail: rjwheeler@dos.state.fl.us