For Dex Brooks ’27, a summer in Florida became the experience that solidified a career path.
During the Spring 2025 semester, Brooks began volunteering under Ph.D. candidate Nicholas Bentley in the Center for the Study of the First Americans (CSFA) at Texas A&M University. When Bentley invited Brooks to join his summer excavation in Florida — and later, to assist Dr. Jessi Halligan on her Aucilla River project — Brooks jumped at the opportunity.
“I had just finished my first semester as an anthropology major,” Brooks said. “I was eager to gain field experience to see if archaeology was really for me.”
For nearly a month, Brooks worked alongside faculty, graduate students and professional archaeologists on two distinct excavations. On Halligan’s Aucilla River project, Brooks spent days aboard a floating platform, screening sediment pulled from underwater excavation units as divers searched for artifacts. Later, at Bentley’s cave site, Brooks helped open and excavate a new 1-by-1 meter unit, carefully recording and sifting through layers of sediment in search of cultural materials.
“Nick Bentley is the first person to excavate that cave, so I had the opportunity to experience a project from start to finish,” Brooks said. “It was incredible to see how every detail — from recording coordinates to labeling artifacts — comes together to tell the story of a site.”
While the fieldwork was physically demanding, the most rewarding part for Brooks was the community that formed along the way.
“I became close with other undergraduates, Ph.D. candidates and archaeologists from outside the university,” Brooks said. “Those connections have given me an encouraging and supportive network at Texas A&M that I rely on every day.”
Brooks credits Dr. Michael Waters, Halligan and Bentley for making the experience possible.
“Their classes and mentorship helped me bridge what I learned in the classroom with what I was seeing in the field,” Brooks said.
The experience also gave Brooks a clearer sense of direction.
“Before going to Florida, I didn’t really know what was next for me after college,” Brooks said. “Now I know I want to pursue zooarchaeology and gain experience in cultural resource management before going on to earn a master’s or Ph.D. in archaeology.”
When asked what advice Brooks would give to other students considering research or fieldwork, the answer came easily: “Do it!”
“Professors and graduate students are such great resources for learning about your field and finding opportunities,” Brooks said. “It can feel intimidating to reach out, but they’re regular people who love what they do and want to help. Once you start building those relationships, your world opens up.”