FPAN SOUTHEAST UNDERWATER PUBLIC ARCHAEOLOGY

The Underwater Public Archaeological component of FPAN’s Southeast Regional Center has the mission to promote the conservation, study, and public understanding of Florida’s submerged cultural resources.  The Underwater Archaeological component of FPAN’s Southeast Regional Center also will involve the public in the study of Florida’s submerged cultural resources through scientific methods and will serve as a resource for information, learning, training, and the study of Underwater Archaeology in the region encompassing Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties, Florida.

FPAN is dedicated to finding new ways of bringing the past and present together in an educational and interesting way.  FPAN is committed to preserving Florida’s fragile and endangered archaeological sites on land and underwater.  FPAN has three main goals: to conduct public outreach, to provide assistance to local governments, and to support the Florida Division of Historical Resources.

1. To promote conservation and preservation of submerged cultural resources
2. To create awareness and inform the public about archaeology in submerged contexts through public lectures, school programs, etc.
3. To increase public stewardship and voluntary preservation opportunities of submerged cultural resources
4. To assist citizens and visitors with training opportunities in Underwater Archaeological scientific methods through educational seminars and workshops for the public interested in submerged resources

1. To research ways to provide support and promote programs developed by the Florida Division of Historical Resources within the Bureau of Archaeological Research and Public Lands programs that encourage public awareness about submerged cultural resource sites, such as the Underwater Archaeological Preserves
2. To provide additional information about submerged cultural resources previously identified or provide new information about previously undiscovered resources
3. To provide monitoring of submerged cultural resource sites to assess and answer questions about changes in site structure, site preservation, and site context.
4. To develop an underwater heritage program in the region that aspires to encourage the public to explore additional regional submerged cultural resource sites with respect and stewardship