Archaeology as a discipline is well established in Florida, but that wasn't always the case. Travel back to when archaeological sites were curiosities on the landscape and speculation as to their origins thrived. Searching Sand and Surf explores the roots of modern archaeology in the state, as seen through articles published in the Florida Historical Quarterly. Witness the evolution of contemporary archaeology in Florida and trace the development of the discipline through some of its most influential voices. In this carefully selected compilation of Florida Historical Quarterly articles, Rachel Wentz traces the history of archaeological research in Florida, bringing into the present an array of interesting information about the past. Readers will have a great time with Searching Sand and Surf, an anthology that reflects a more than century-long collaboration between historians and archaeologists. --Jerald T. Milanich This chronological selection of articles from the Florida Historical Quarterly reveals the symbiotic evolution of Florida s archaeology and history that appeared in print during the last century. Thanks to this collection, readers can follow the exciting progression of a growing understanding of Florida s past through eyewitness reports of archaeological discoveries and observations. Searching Sand and Surf celebrates the scholarly paths that led to today s popular appreciation for our unique heritage. --Roger C. Smith Rachel Wentz has assembled a terrific collection of articles highlighting the intersection of history and archaeology, taken from volumes of the Florida Historical Quarterly that span the past century. From Florida Indians to Spanish missions and forts, Searching Sand and Surf offers a rewarding medley of topics directly linked to current issues in Florida archaeology and history. --Keith Ashley When asked to take on this project by the Florida Historical Society, I had my reservations, since I had never served as editor on a book before. But after delving into The Florida Historical Quarterly and reading the works of the first archaeologists to explore Florida's intriguing landscapes, I was hooked. I hope you, the reader, will get as much enjoyment out of reliving the earliest explorations that formed the foundations of Florida archaeology. Archaeology as a discipline is well established in Florida, but that wasn't always the case. Travel back to when archaeological sites were curiosities on the landscape and speculation as to their origins thrived. Searching Sand and Surf explores the roots of modern archaeology in the state, as seen through articles published in the Florida Historical Quarterly. Witness the evolution of contemporary archaeology in Florida and trace the development of the discipline through some of its most influential voices. Following a thirteen-year career as a firefighter/paramedic, Dr. Wentz retired from the Orlando Fire Department to pursue advanced degrees in anthropology. She graduated from Florida State University with an MS and PhD in Anthropology, specializing in the analysis of human remains with foci on ancient disease and population health. Dr. Wentz has done skeletal work in Florida, St. Croix, England, and Ukraine, and obtained experience in forensics at the C.A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory at the University of Florida, Gainesville. She has taught courses in physical anthropology, human osteology, medical anthropology, and forensic anthropology at Florida State University and her work has been featured on the History Channel, the Weather Channel, and in Archaeology Magazine. She is the author of seven books. Her first novel, The Mass of Men, won the 2014 Florida Authors and Publishers Association Silver Medal President's Award in Genre Fiction and recently made IndieReader's "Best Of" list. Her memoir, Let Burn: The Making and Breaking of a Firefighter/Paramedic, also won a FAPA Silver Medal in 2014. Her latest book, The Body Blog: Explorations in Science and Culture, won the 2016 FAPA Silver Medal President's Award in Adult Non-Fiction. Please visit Dr. Wentz' website at rachelwentzbooks.com.