Panhandle Archaeological Society at Tallahassee


From the Paleoindians that lived along the Aucilla River, to the mound builders of Lake Jackson, Velda and Letchworth, to Hernando de Soto, to the Spanish missions of San Luis, Escambé and Patali, to the Territorial Period sites throughout downtown Tallahassee, the Big Bend region is rich in archaeological resources.

PAST is committed to preserving these sites and those yet undiscovered through monthly lectures featuring archaeological research of the Florida Big Bend and beyond, volunteer opportunities to work alongside professional archaeologists, and by fostering camaraderie between professionals and laypersons alike. We encourage you to join us so you too can learn how we can work together to protect our past for the future.

The Panhandle Archaeological Society at Tallahassee is a chapter of the Florida Anthropological Society. If you are interested in also becoming a member of FAS, please visit their website for further details.

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to keep members of the organization, as well as the general public, informed of recent research in archaeology and about the importance of historic preservation. We host monthly meetings where professional archaeologists, students, and others present on a variety of interesting archaeology-related topics. Occasional volunteer fieldwork and field trip opportunities are made available to PAST members. Members of PAST strive to make a difference by educating the public and expanding our reach.

Our Mission

PAST endeavors to promote research, study and analysis of anthropological and archaeological resources to further understand the rich cultural history of the Tallahassee area and to interpret relative information about such resources and history for the general public.

Support us

The Panhandle Archaeological Society at Tallahassee represents the panhandle region of Florida around Tallahassee. The Panhandle Archaeological Society at Tallahassee (PAST) is a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to promoting the exploration and preservation of archaeological resources in the Florida panhandle region. PAST is a chapter of the Florida Anthropological Society, and recognized by the State of Florida as a not-for-profit corporation. The group has been active since 1999.