Praise for the previous edition:

"[A] clearly written, compelling guide to the practice of professional archaeology."--Library Journal

"Conveys the complex and rigorous nature of modern archaeology, and the interesting story of Florida prehistory that it yields, in an approachable manner."--Southeastern Archaeology

"A deftly written overview of how the original inhabitants of Florida lived, and how we know how they lived."--Florida Times-Union


With more than 75 years of field experience between the two authors, this highly regarded volume reveals how responsible archaeologists locate, excavate, and analyze sites and remains. This second edition contains new, emended, and greatly expanded chapters about recently discovered sites and the development of sophisticated technologies to record and analyze their contents more rapidly and efficiently. The volume also showcases new dating techniques and methods in excavation, preservation, and curation.



Barbara A. Purdy (1927-2024) was professor emerita of anthropology and curator emerita in archaeology at the Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida. Purdy is the author of numerous books, including Florida’s People during the Last Ice Age. Robert J. Austin received his PhD in anthropology from the University of Florida and has been a practicing archaeologist for more than 35 years. He has conducted fieldwork throughout Florida, the eastern and western United States, the Caribbean, and Africa. He is currently an independent cultural resource consultant.

Sample Chapter(s):

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Table of Contents

The authors’ extensive first-hand knowledge of the state’s prehistoric archaeology record is used effectively to make the book more engaging. . . . From this book one can learn a significant amount about Florida prehistory and methods favored by archaeologists working there.
--Mississippi Archaeology