In the mid-1980s, a few years after the UWF Anthropology program and Archaeology Institute were formed, the oldest historic portion of downtown Pensacola was involved in a program of urban renewal. Pavement was removed from streets and utilities were replaced. These activities exposed archeological deposits dating from the 1750s through the Civil War, including pristine colonial and early American features that had been preserved beneath old pavement and sidewalks. Construction workers were removing the archaeological materials with machines and hauling them off for landfill. Even worse, collectors were actively involved in looting the disturbed sites and selling the artifacts. Realizing that civic leaders and the public were completely unaware of the irreplaceable archaeological remains in their midst, Dr. Judy Bense organized a long-term public information campaign. A local support group, the Pensacola Archaeological Society, was organized to assist in public outreach efforts. The City of Pensacola passed an archaeological review policy and the media was encouraged to share archaeological finds and activities with the public.

Since that first press conference in 1984, UWF archaeology has benefited from a steady stream of media coverage at the local, national and international level. UWF archaeology has been on national news many times including Good Morning America for the Colonial Archaeological Trail project, Fox FX for live underwater shipwreck coverage, Associate Press Radio live for the raising of the 1559 Luna ship anchor and inclusion in a History Channel documentary on shipwrecks. The consistent coverage has educated the public that there IS archaeology in Pensacola and that it is beneficial for the community. Thanks to the media, Pensacola archaeology is now on the map.

2005 press conference at the Commanding Officer's Compound

First archaeology press conference in south Seville Square in 1984

History Channel underwater photographer

One of the most popular local media presentations of archaeology is the daily radio program "Unearthing Pensacola" on National Public Radio station WUWF 88.1 FM. Narrated by Dr. Judy Bense, Executive Director of the Division of Anthropology and Archaeology at UWF, this daily feature provides a one-minute overview of the many archaeological sites in the Pensacola area. Recent excavations have focused on the Spanish Commanding Officer's Compound of Presidio San Miguel in downtown Pensacola and the remains of a 19th-century sidewheel steamer in Alabama. The program is heard daily on 88.1 FM at 7:32 a.m. Started in 1998 by Dr. Bense, this popular one-minute spot continues to share archaeology with the listening public.In 2007 the Archaeology Institute published a coffee table book, Unearthing Pensacola, by Dr. Bense based on this series. The bood can be purchased throught he Institute by calling (850) 474-3015.