Benjamin Ford

Benjamin Ford is a Professor of Anthropology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), specializing in historical and maritime archaeology. He holds a PhD from Texas A&M University's Nautical Archaeology Program, with additional degrees from the College of William and Mary and the University of Cincinnati. His research focuses on North American historical archaeology, maritime cultural landscapes, GIS, and spatial analysis, particularly in the Great Lakes and Pennsylvania regions.

Key projects include studies of the Revolutionary War-era Historic Hanna's Town and Newport Village, as well as leadership roles in the Pennsylvania Archaeology Shipwreck Survey Team and the Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Board. His applied archaeology work spans public and private sectors, emphasizing practical approaches to heritage preservation.

• Teaches courses like Historical Archaeology, Spatial Archaeology, and Cultural Resource Management.
• Author/editor of five books, including The Shore is a Bridge, which pioneered marine-terrestrial survey techniques.
• Pioneers digital methods for reconstructing shipwrecks, such as the Royal Savage timber analysis using 3D imaging.
• Active in archaeological education, integrating student research into classroom settings.

His work bridges historical inquiry with modern technology, addressing questions of human interaction with coastal and maritime environments across millennia.