Dr. Kevin Crisman

Biography

Kevin Crisman is a Professor at Texas A&M University, holding the George T. Gladys Abell Endowed Family Chair in Nautical Archaeology. His educational background includes a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, which he obtained in 1989. Crisman focuses his research on Nautical Archaeology, particularly during the post-Medieval Era, and has a keen interest in the construction and outfitting of ships, as well as shipboard life and maritime communities. His expertise encompasses the study of North American rivers, lakes, and canals, alongside a detailed exploration of 19th-century steamboats and naval technology from 1450 to 1950, with a particular emphasis on the War of 1812. He has directed various archaeological projects, including notable excavations of early Lake Champlain steamboat wrecks and the study of wrecks in Portugal's Azores Islands. Crisman has also contributed significantly to academic literature, publishing works such as 'Coffins of the Brave,' which summarizes archaeological studies of naval wrecks. Additionally, he has served as the Vice President for New World Research for the Institute of Nautical Archaeology and currently acts as a faculty advisor for the M.S. Program in the Anthropology Department.

Research Interests

Courses