How the Florida Archaeological Council Is Involved in the Florida Anthropological Society Annual Meeting

The Florida Archaeological Council (FAC) co-hosted the 77th Annual Meeting of the Florida Anthropological Society (FAS) with the Department of Anthropology at the University of Florida. The meeting was held May 9–11, 2025, in Gainesville at the Hilton Hotel and Conference Center, directly across from the University of Florida. FAC's role went beyond lending its name: it co-hosted the event and ran a workshop tied to its own publication, Thinking About Significance.

FAC's Role as Co-Host

The FAC is an organization of professional archaeologists involved in Florida archaeology. Its stated objectives include promoting interest in Florida archaeology, encouraging public appreciation of the field, promoting high standards of archaeological practice, and advocating for the conservation and preservation of archaeological resources and materials. Co-hosting the FAS annual meeting fits directly into that mission by bringing professionals, students, and the public together around Florida archaeology.

For the 2025 meeting, FAC partnered with the University of Florida's Department of Anthropology. The full program was published on the FAS website.

What Happened at the 2025 Annual Meeting

The three-day event combined social events, research presentations, awards, and hands-on learning.

Friday–Saturday Programming

• Welcome reception at Swamp Head Brewery, attended by a good number of conference attendees
• A full day of paper and poster presentations
• Awards banquet featuring keynote speaker Dr. Charles Cobb, Professor of Historical Archaeology at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville

Sunday Field Trips and Workshops

Sunday offered field trips and workshops, including:

• Dudley Farm Historic State Park
• Newnans Lake Archaeological Site
• Florida Museum of Natural History Behind the Scenes
• FPAN Historic Cemetery Tour and Preservation Short Course

Business Meetings and Workshops

Business meetings and workshops included the FAS Board meeting with annual elections, plus a workshop about the FAC publication Thinking About Significance. That publication workshop is the clearest example of FAC contributing substantive content to the program rather than only co-sponsoring it.

Why the FAC–FAS Connection Matters

The FAS annual meeting is a recurring gathering for Florida's archaeological community, and FAC's involvement as co-host and workshop leader means the organization helps shape both the professional and public-facing sides of the event. If you want to attend a future meeting, track the FAS website for the full program, since FAC's specific sessions and co-host role can vary year to year.

The FAC also recognizes contributions to Florida archaeology through its Stewards of Heritage Award, presented to individuals and organizations that have significantly aided archaeological preservation, research, or public awareness. Recent honorees include the City of Sarasota, recognized for 50 years of community efforts to protect prehistoric and historic resources, and Andres Viglucci, recognized for over 40 years of advocacy for the archaeological heritage of Miami and South Florida as a reporter for the Miami Herald. The 2024 award was presented at the FAS Annual Conference in Pensacola.