A noted maritime archaeologist will talk about sunken treasure at the Cedar Key Public Library beginning at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, May 2. Nicole Tumbleson with Florida Public Archaeology Network will present: "Sunken Treasures: Submerged Cultural Resources as Living Shipwrecks." Ships are vectors of culture and have been used to traverse waterways for thousands of years. When a ship wrecks, the items used during its journey often remain with the ship. These material remains reflect information about past social, economic and political conditions. Biologically, shipwrecks beocme artificial reefs that provide shelter for juveniles and substrate for invertebrates. Unlike reefs, shipwrecks are non-renewable resources, and, as such, should be managed in a way that provides the most protection and the least amount of disturbance. Nicole Tumbleson has a bachelors degree in history with a minor in anthropology from the University of Florida. She is currently finishing her masters in anthropology with a specialization in historic maritime archaeology from the University of West Florida. She has worked on maritime and terrestrial projects throughout the Southeast, including the identification and excavation of the second Emanuel Point shipwreck which was part of the lost fleet of Tristan de Luna in 1559. She also worked for C&C Technologies in Houston, TX, where she learned about sonar and 3D imaging in deep water environments. Her thesis is based on an interdisciplinary project that allowed archaeologiest and the Florida Aquarium to teach volunteer divers how to map and record a Civil War tugboat that wrecked near Tampa Bay. Currently, she is Outreach Coordinator for the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN) located in Crystal River. As with all programs sponsored by the library, this program is free and open to the public. Coordinator of the program is Missy Jackson with the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Marine Fisheries Management. | 
