Alumni Directory

Back to Directory Home

Christopher E.  Horrell

Thesis: 

Chris Horrell is the first PhD candidate to graduate from Florida State University’s Department of Anthropology. With over 15 years of experience in the field of archaeology, Chris has worked throughout the United States and in Central America. Specifically, he has focused on historic archaeology both terrestrial and underwater. Chris received his BA in Anthropology and History in 1995 from Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University at San Marcos). He continued his studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio researching and investigating the last Spanish Colonial Town in Texas. In 1999, Chris received an MA in Anthropology.

Upon completion of his MA, Chris entered into the Doctoral program at Florida State University to study anthropology and focus on underwater archaeology. During his studies at FSU, Chris was involved in many field investigations as a Teaching Assistant through the department’s ANT 4131 class and the Academic Diving Program. In addition, he focused on his interests including anthropological and archaeological theory, regional analysis, nautical architecture, seafaring, maritime history, and remote sensing.

In addition, Chris also took the position as co-field director of the Dog Island Shipwreck Survey, a program designed to locate and catalog submerged cultural resources in Franklin County, Florida. During the survey, a shipwreck was located in the spring of 2000. This shipwreck has been the focus of Chris' Ph.D. dissertation research for the last five years. Using this shipwreck, Chris developed a new model for examining maritime communities and their relationship with the submerged cultural resources that surround these communities.

During his studies at FSU, Chris was actively involved in the field of underwater archaeology. Chris took a position with the Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research as an Archaeological Assistant. His job included working with Florida's submerged cultural resources; conducting site assessments, managing contracts and permits, working with Florida’s underwater preserves, and presenting information and educating the public on the importance of preserving the past. In 2003, Chris took a position with the Department of Interior Minerals Management Service as a Marine Archaeologist. Chris’ position requires him to provide professional knowledge in the inventory, evaluation, protection, use and management of the prehistoric and historic submerged archaeological resources located on the Gulf Mexico’s Outer Continental Shelf. Chris is also a member of the MMS Scientific Dive Team.