What is the Florida Archaeological Council (FAC)?

The Florida Archaeological Council (FAC) is an organization of professional archaeologists involved in Florida archaeology. Its stated purpose is to promote the advancement of archaeology in Florida, and it works toward that goal through four objectives: stimulating interest in Florida archaeology, encouraging public appreciation of archaeology, promoting high standards of archaeological practice, and advocating for the conservation and preservation of archaeological resources and materials. If you are a professional archaeologist working in Florida, a student considering the field, or a member of the public who wants to follow or support Florida's archaeological heritage, the FAC is the body that connects those interests at the state level.

What the FAC does

The council's objectives translate into a mix of professional, public-facing, and advocacy work:

• Promoting interest in Florida archaeology — raising the profile of the state's archaeological record and the people who study it.
• Encouraging public appreciation — helping non-specialists understand why Florida's archaeological resources matter.
• Setting practice standards — promoting high quality standards of archaeological practice among professionals.
• Advocating for preservation — supporting the conservation and preservation of archaeological resources and materials.

A concrete example: the 2025 annual meeting

The FAC's role as a convenor is visible in its co-hosting of major state events. The FAC and the Department of Anthropology at the University of Florida hosted the 77th Annual Meeting of the Florida Anthropological Society in Gainesville on May 9–11, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel and Conference Center across from the University of Florida.

The program shows the range of what these gatherings cover:

The full program is available through the FAS website.

The Stewards of Heritage Award

One of the FAC's public recognitions is the Stewards of Heritage Award, presented to individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to archaeological preservation, research, education, or public awareness of Florida archaeology. Recent awardees illustrate the kind of work the council honors:

• The City of Sarasota, Florida — recognized for community efforts to protect and preserve prehistoric and historic resources throughout the city over the past 50 years.
• Andres Viglucci — recognized for more than 40 years of advocacy for the archaeological heritage of Miami and South Florida as a reporter for the Miami Herald.

The City of Sarasota's historic preservation officer, Dr. Clifford Smith, accepted the award at the Florida Anthropological Society Annual Conference in Pensacola in May 2024.

Who should pay attention to the FAC

• Professional archaeologists in Florida — the council is built around this community and its practice standards.
• Students and early-career archaeologists — annual meetings, workshops, and publications like Thinking About Significance are part of the professional landscape.
• Local governments, preservation officers, and journalists — the Stewards of Heritage Award shows that the council recognizes preservation and public-communication work beyond the field itself.
• Interested members of the public — public appreciation of archaeology is one of the organization's four stated objectives, not an afterthought.

The clearest way to judge whether the FAC is relevant to you is to look at its objectives and its annual meeting program: if your interest is Florida archaeology — professional, civic, or personal — the council is the state-level organization oriented around exactly that.