The Larry J. Pierson papers consist of a selection of work product files, research materials, and maps relating to his career as a marine archaeologist in California between 1974 and 1987.

Larry Jack Pierson was born on November 14, 1937 in Coquille, Oregon. At 18 Pierson joined the Air Force where he specialized as an electronics technician at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi (1955-1957), and gained 2 years of field experience with the Alaskan Distant Early Warning System. Between 1975 and 1977 he attended Los Angeles Valley College majoring in History and Anthropology with minors in Geology and Oceanography, while also taking classes at the University of California, San Diego and University of San Diego (USD). In 1979 he graduated from USD with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Anthropology, before continuing his studies to pursue a Master of Arts in Historic Site Interpretation and Archaeology (1986). During this time period, he also participated in several archaeological field schools in the San Diego area. Pierson held various diving certifications, including Los Angeles County (1963), the National Association of Scuba Diving Schools (1968) (now called Scuba Schools International), and the National Association of Underwater Instructors (1968). A full list of his professional work and completed contracts as a professional archaeologist and historian, marine archaeologist, and electronic remote sensing specialist is available in his collection of papers (box 1, folder 1).

3.8 Linear feet (7 archives boxes and 1 record carton)

Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. ALLOW ONE WEEK FOR RETRIEVAL OF MATERIALS.