Meet Caitlin, the East Central Region's New Outreach Assistant!
Hello from the East
Central region! I must say I am extremely happy to have become a member of the
FPAN team as an Outreach Assistant to both learn and teach others about how
incredibly rich Florida is with archaeology. This opportunity could
not have come at a better time, having just graduated from the University of
Central Florida roughly 3 weeks ago. I left many brilliant professors and
future colleagues after graduating with my B.A. in Anthropology.
During my studies I focused on bioarchaeology (the study of human
skeletal remains in an archaeological context) and forensic anthropology (the
application of law and the analysis of modern human remains). Now, I know you immediately
jumped to the television series Bones when I said forensic anthropology, but
this work is much more meticulous and less glorified than the show
reveals.
Continuing my academic
career beyond the classroom, I have delved into public archaeology and the
marriage of archaeology and environmental science. It turns out my professors prepared me well for field work with colleagues. Last summer I took part in a National Science Foundation Undergraduate Research Experience program in Sicily, Italy. It was there that I had my first foray into the world of professional archaeology.
My NSF program research investigated
human skeletal remains from the 5th century Greek colony Himera. After
years of explaining to my non-anthropology friends exactly what I was ecstatic about,
and what had me reading scientific journal articles non-stop, I began to wonder
what the public perception of archaeology as a field really was. Fortunately, I will be able to engage with these questions in my new position.
In this position I will
be able to see first-hand what the public sees on the other side of the pit
wall when peering in. Besides that, I will be able to geek out about the
precious history the Earth has to offer us, especially when it comes to Florida
archaeology. That offering is years of knowledge and insight into how people
once inhabited these lands and how we can improve our own interactions with the
land to protect it for future generations!
Glad to be a part of the team,
Me at some ruins in the city of Cefalù in Sicily,Italy
Botanical Garden at the University of Georgia
Me and one of my directors on site in Sicily, Italy
Texts and pics: Caitlin Sawyer