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Secretary Detzner Announces Launch of Florida History in 3D Online Artifacts Exhibit

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Secretary of State Ken Detzner today announced the launch of the new online artifacts exhibit, Florida History in 3D. The website combines archaeology, history, and innovation to present artifacts in a fun, interactive and educational format.

“‘Florida History in 3D’ allows worldwide access to some of the most significant and interesting artifacts in Florida’s Archaeology collection. Using state of the art three-dimensional photogrammetry techniques, users can discover and examine artifacts from their computers or mobile devices normally only seen in museums,” said Secretary Detzner. “The artifacts in the State of Florida’s archaeological collection belong to the citizens of our state. FloridaHistoryin3D.com allows us to share these unique, historical artifacts and their stories to students, educators, the public and interested individuals around the world.”

The inaugural collection, Spanish Plate Fleet Wrecks, is the first in what will be a growing online exhibit highlighting artifacts from the State of Florida’s collection. The Spanish Plate Fleets lost off the coast of Florida in 1715 and 1733 have long evoked awe and fascination. Named the “Plate Fleets” for the plata (silver) coins they carried, the remains of these fleets weave an archaeological tale of international trade, colonialism, piracy, high seas adventure and tragedy. Beyond the gold and silver that was scattered on the sea floor, the wrecks of the Plate Fleets provide insight into the economy of the Spanish empire and maritime culture of the 18th century.

The Spanish Plate Fleet artifacts are presented within three themes: arms and armor, daily life, and trade. While the Department of State is currently sharing these artifacts with museums across Florida, visitors to the website can experience these objects from anywhere.

This exciting site will be launched in conjunction with a talk by Dr. James Delgado on Shipwreck Archaeology at the Museum of Florida History tonight from 5:30–7:30 p.m. to celebrate Florida Archaeology Month and March of Museums.  To see the artifacts in person, visit any of the Florida museums that currently display artifacts from the collection on loan from the Florida Department of State. The museums are identified on an interactive map on the site.

To learn more or to experience the collection, visit FloridaHistoryIn3D.com.

About Florida’s Archaeological Collection
The Florida Division of Historical Research, Bureau of Archaeological Research is responsible for curating archaeological objects collected on state-owned and state-managed lands. The collection originated in 1965 with the appointment of Florida’s first State Archaeologist. Through the end of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century, Florida’s archaeological collection has continued to grow. Today the collection contains over 1 million artifacts, and over 85,000 artifacts are on loan to more than 100 institutions within Florida and the United States. 

About The Bureau of Archaeological Research
The Florida Department of State’s Bureau of Archaeological Research (BAR) is entrusted with the maintenance, preservation and protection of more than 12,000 years of Florida heritage. Archaeological and historical resources on state-owned and state-controlled lands, including sovereignty submerged lands, are the direct responsibility of the bureau. State archaeologists carry out archaeological surveys and excavations throughout Florida, primarily on state-owned lands. They maintain records on historical resources that have been recorded, and assist consultants and planners in protecting sites. The state’s underwater archaeology program includes historic shipwreck and pre-Columbian underwater sites, some of which are among the oldest human sites in the New World. For more information, visit flheritage.com/archaeology.

About The Division of Historical Resources
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources (DHR) is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. The Division Director’s office oversees a grants-in-aid program to help preserve and maintain Florida’s historic buildings and archaeological sites; coordinates outreach programs such as the State Historic Markers program and the Florida Folklife program which identifies and promotes the state’s traditional culture. DHR directs historic preservation efforts throughout the state in cooperation with state and federal agencies, local governments, private organizations, and individuals. The Division director serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, acting as the liaison with the national historic preservation program conducted by the National Park Service. The Division is comprised of two Bureaus, archaeological research and historic preservation. For more information, visit flheritage.com

Florida Department of State Celebrates Archaeology Month

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Florida Department of State
Secretary of State Ken Detzner today announced that the Florida Department of State will celebrate Archaeology Month in March by hosting special behind-the scene tour events in Tallahassee, to promote Florida’s rich cultural heritage and showcase the state’s important collections of archaeological artifacts.
“As our nation celebrates Archaeology Month in March, I am proud to recognize the important work done by our state archaeologists every day on the ground and underwater, to ensure that we protect, interpret and preserve our state’s precious archaeological heritage,” said Secretary Detzner.  “We join this national effort celebrating Archaeology Month to remind and inform Florida citizens of the wealth of knowledge that archaeology contributes to our understanding of our state and nation’s history. I encourage Florida families to participate in special tours and programs being offered as part of this initiative.”
This year’s Archaeology Month events include: 
At the R.A. Gray Building, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee

  • Saturday, March 25 – Behind the Scenes Tour – Archaeological Conservation Lab – Tours every hour between 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

See the techniques and process used to preserve state artifacts for display and research in this unique facility. Participants are restricted to eight per 20 minute tour. Due to limited space and the presence of artifacts and chemicals on open tables, children under ten will not be allowed on these tours. For more information or to pre-register for a tour, email [email protected]. 
At Mission San Luis, 2100 W. Tennessee Street, Tallahassee 

  • Every Wednesday during March – Behind the Scenes Tour – Archaeological Collection of Mission San Luis – Tours at 11 a.m.

Following more than two decades of fieldwork, the archaeological collections of Mission San Luis represent one of the largest and most diverse collections of 17th century Spanish and Apalachee materials available anywhere. For more information, or to pre-register for the Mission San Luis collection tours, call 850.487.0458 or email [email protected]. 

  • Saturday, March 25 – Behind the Scenes Tour – The State of Florida’s Archaeological Collection – Tours on the hour at 11 a.m., Noon, and 1 p.m.

Tour the state’s archaeological collections facility to see items from Spanish shipwrecks, prehistoric ceramics and the vast array of artifacts collected on state lands. Tours are limited to 10 visitors at a time. Due to limited space and the presence of artifacts and chemicals on open tables, children under ten will not be allowed on these tours. Following their tour, participants will receive a free pass to visit the Mission.  For more information, or to pre-register for the State collection tours, call 850.245.6324 or email [email protected].
For further details about Archaeology Month events taking place in March throughout the state, visit http://fpan.us/FAM/. 
About The Bureau of Archaeological Research
The Florida Department of State’s Bureau of Archaeological Research is entrusted with the maintenance, preservation and protection of more than 12,000 years of Florida heritage. Archaeological and historical resources on state-owned and state-controlled lands, including sovereignty submerged lands, are the direct responsibility of the bureau. State archaeologists carry out archaeological surveys and excavations throughout Florida, primarily on state-owned lands. They maintain records on historical resources that have been recorded, and assist consultants and planners in protecting sites. The state’s underwater archaeology program includes historic shipwreck and pre-Columbian underwater sites, some of which are among the oldest human sites in the New World. The Bureau also manages Mission San Luis, a 60-acre world-class archaeological site located in Tallahassee, featuring a fulltime research program, a living history museum and is the only reconstructed Spanish mission in the Southeast. For more information visit flheritage.com/archaeology. 
About The Division of Historical Resources
The Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources (DHR) is responsible for preserving and promoting Florida’s historical, archaeological, and folk culture resources. DHR directs historic preservation efforts throughout the state in cooperation with state and federal agencies, local governments, private organizations, and individuals. The director of DHR serves as the State Historic Preservation Officer, acting as the liaison with the national historic preservation program conducted by the National Park Service. The Division is comprised of two Bureaus or major program areas: archaeological research and historic preservation. For more information, visit flheritage.com.