12/10/07 - Crisman appointed director of CMAC

Kevin Crisman

Kevin Crisman, an associate professor of anthropology, has been appointed director of the Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation (CMAC). He replaces Donny Hamilton, who is now serving as head of the Department of Anthropology.

CMAC was created in May 2005 to strengthen the image and profile of the Nautical Archaeology Program at Texas A&M University. Its mission is to maintain Texas A&M’s forefront position in nautical, maritime and underwater archaeology research.

As a research center at Texas A&M, CMAC continues to form research alliances, like its longtime collaboration with the Institute of Nautical Archeology (INA), in order to remain an active research participant in maritime archeology.

“The Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation has provided a focal point for faculty and student research on campus and in the field,” Crisman said. “Through its laboratories and scholars, CMAC is developing new techniques for the preservation of archaeological materials, for site and artifact imaging and recording, for modeling and testing the characteristics of historic ships, and for expanding on the intensive shipwreck investigations that have been the hallmark of Texas A&M and INA.”

After receiving his Ph.D. in 1989 from the American Civilization Department at the University of Pennsylvania, Crisman began his career as an associate professor at Texas A&M in the fall of 1990. He currently teaches courses in New World and post-Medieval European seafaring, rigging and outfitting ships and seafaring life and maritime communities.

Crisman has directed or participated in the underwater investigation of numerous wrecks, including sailing merchant craft, naval ships, steamers and canal boats. He is currently directing the excavation of an 1832 Western River Steamboat in the Red River of Oklahoma.

In 2005, Crisman was named coordinator of the Nautical Archeology Graduate Program and will remain in this position after taking over as the Director of CMAC.

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-Holly Lambert