THE RESEARCH COLLABORATIVE

Our Team

The Ancient Landscapes Project is an interdisciplinary collaborative combining technical expertise with field experience, local knowledge and an insatiable passion for recovering the past.

Independent research disclosure: The Ancient Landscapes Project is an avocational research collaborative. It is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any university, museum, government agency, or professional archaeological or paleontological institution unless expressly stated. References to memberships, collaborations, or professional relationships do not imply institutional endorsement.

Rob Pierce

Rob Pierce

Founder & Principal Investigator

Rob Pierce is an independent researcher specializing in the application of artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and GIS to archaeological and paleontological discovery. With a background spanning anthropology, computer science, and field archaeology, he has collaborated on projects across North America including the Page-Ladson site in Florida and paleoenvironmental mapping in Michigan.

Florida State University
Remote Sensing & LiDARMachine LearningPredictive ModelingGIS & Spatial AnalysisPaleoenvironmental ReconstructionUnderwater Excavation3D PhotogrammetryField Investigation
SCUBA Certification (30+ Years)FAA Commercial Drone Pilot (10+ Years)Project Manager (10+ Years)Rescue Diver (10+ Years)
Dan Banner

Dan Banner

Analyst / Field Investigator

Dan Banner brings a unique blend of military intelligence analysis and ecological expertise to archaeological field investigation. As a former Air Force Intelligence Officer with deep knowledge of native plant systems, he applies analytical rigor and landscape reading skills to identify subtle archaeological signatures in complex environments.

United States Air Force Academy
Air Force Intelligence OfficerNative Plant ExpertField InvestigationLandscape AnalysisEcological Survey
SCUBA Certification (25+ Years)
Rhyan Kratz

Rhyan Kratz

Environmental Specialist & Education Coordinator

Rhyan Kratz brings over 15 years of experience as a certified Florida educator with deep expertise in environmental science, entomology, and botany. As a classroom teacher and instructional designer, she has developed extensive curriculum and outreach programs that translate complex ecological concepts for diverse audiences. Her 15 years of SCUBA certification and extensive field experience in Florida's aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems complement her academic background from the University of Central Florida. She bridges scientific research, public education, and community engagement to advance archaeological and environmental stewardship.

University of Central Florida
Environmental Education & OutreachCurriculum Development & Instructional DesignFlorida Ecology & Native Species IdentificationEntomology & Botany Field IdentificationSCUBA & Underwater SurveyCommunity Engagement & Citizen ScienceFlorida Teacher Certification (15 years)
Florida Professional Educator Certificate (15+ Years)SCUBA Certification (15+ Years)Rescue Diver (10+ Years)
George Hoffman

George Hoffman

Senior Software Engineer & Maker

George Hoffman is a senior software engineer with over 20 years of experience in computer science, spanning systems programming, distributed systems, and machine learning infrastructure. A lifelong maker and builder, he combines deep software expertise with hands-on fabrication skills—including 3D modeling, 3D printing, CNC machining, and custom electronics. He designs and builds custom hardware, develops firmware for embedded systems, and creates end-to-end software toolchains for fabrication workflows. His work bridges high-level software architecture and physical prototyping, from CAD/CAM pipelines to real-time control systems. He maintains active open-source contributions in 3D printing tooling, computer vision, and developer tooling.

Michigan State University
Systems Programming & ArchitectureDistributed Systems & Cloud Infrastructure3D Modeling & CAD/CAM3D Printing & Additive ManufacturingCNC Machining & Subtractive ManufacturingEmbedded Systems & FirmwareCustom Electronics & PCB DesignOpen-Source Tooling

Selected Participation & Contributions

Experience Across the Research Community

Individual team members have contributed time, fieldwork, technical support, documentation, volunteer service, or membership across archaeological, underwater-science, paleontological, ecological, and public-history communities.

Participation varies by team member and activity. These references do not imply current affiliation, institutional partnership, sponsorship, or endorsement of The Ancient Landscapes Project.

Archaeology & Public History

Archaeological societies, public-history organizations, and community research networks.

  • St. Augustine Archaeological AssociationSAAA
  • Panhandle Archaeological Society at TallahasseePAST
  • Florida Public Archaeology NetworkFPAN
  • Michigan Archaeological Society
  • Mason County Historical Society

Underwater, Karst & Maritime Research

Underwater-science, cave and karst research, and maritime-archaeology communities.

  • American Academy of Underwater SciencesAAUS
  • Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime ProgramLAMP
  • Woodville Karst Plain ProjectWKPP
  • North Florida Springs Alliance
  • The Florida Speleological Society

Paleontology, Ecology & Community Science

Fossil, ecological, watershed, natural-history, and community-science participation.

  • Tampa Bay Fossil Club
  • WFSU EcoCitizen
  • Apalachicola Riverkeeper
  • Southwest Florida Fossil Society
  • The Florida Institute of Paleontology
  • Friends of the University of Michigan Museum of PaleontologyFUMMP

Have Skills or Local Knowledge to Contribute?

We're always seeking research partners, field investigators, and local experts. Whether you have technical skills, family history, or know the land—your contribution matters.