We are the only non-profit scientific institute in central Florida

The Gulf Archaeology Research Institute (GARI) is a 501(C)(3) scientific research group based in Crystal River, Florida. Founded in 1995 we bring over 20 years of experience of working to protect Florida’s vanishing natural and cultural resources.
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Our Mission

The Gulf Archaeology Research Institute (GARI) is a 501(C)(3) scientific research group based in Crystal River, Florida. Founded in 1995 we bring over 20 years of experience of working to protect Florida’s vanishing natural and cultural resources. Our organization has three divisions: Social Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Natural Sciences. We are professionally staffed by 11 Research Associates who all hold advanced graduate degrees in a variety of fields from Anthropology to Meteorology.

What our extensive experiences have shown is that Florida is in a state of emergency when it comes to protecting its historical resources. We are losing our shared history at an alarming rate due to sea level rise, construction and development, and agricultural activities. We have been at the forefront of championing for saving these sites and have an impressive resume of providing exceptional services to communities so they can document and protect their historical sites. Read more about our amazing staff under the About Us page and see a selection of the projects we have completed under the Reports page. Want to help us save history?? Visit our Donation page – we have a number of ways to help including some that don’t cost anything to you!

To learn more about our most popular areas of research, click on a topic below.

Historical Archaeology

We have conducted research at places such as Fort Dade, Fort King, Camp Izard, Micanopy, and now are investigating the Battle of the Battles of Wahoo Swamp just to name a few.

Historical Research

Aside from archaeological research, we frequently conduct archival research. Currently our grant from the American Battlefield Protection Program involves a fair bit of archival research relating to the Battles of Wahoo Swamp.

Prehistoric Research

Over the past 20 years GARI has conducted research along the St. Johns River, coastal South Florida, the Central Gulf Coast, and the Big Bend region.

Environmental Research

In addition to cultural research we also perform a wide variety of research in the fields of natural and physical sciences including ecology, malacology, sedimentology, hydrology and climatology just to name a few.

Latest Exciting News

Progress at Chinsegut Hill Project

The Tampa Bay History Center (TBHC) and Gulf Archaeology Research Institute (GARI) have partnered to investigate additional areas of the Chinsegut Hill Plantation near Brooksville, Florida.  The property is owned by Hernando County and the TBHC manages the operation...

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Gulf Stream Births a Gyre!

The Gulf Stream is an important source of heat transport from the tropics and sub-tropics to the North Atlantic and eventually, the North Sea. Today's environmental satellite image shows the warm Gulf Stream's core (deep red) flowing off the Atlantic coastline. A few...

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