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Pierson (Larry J.) Papers
MSS 0753  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Descriptive Summary
  • Scope and Content of Collection
  • Biography
  • Preferred Citation
  • Acquisition Information
  • OFF-SITE STORAGE
  • Publication Rights

  • Descriptive Summary

    Contributing Institution: Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
    9500 Gilman Drive
    La Jolla 92093-0175
    Title: Larry J. Pierson Papers
    Creator: Pierson, Larry J.
    Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0753
    Physical Description: 3.8 Linear feet (7 archives boxes and 1 record carton)
    Date (inclusive): 1965-2009 (bulk 1970-1987)
    Abstract: 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.
    Languages: English .

    Scope and Content of Collection

    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. Many of the work files document survey scans for cultural and archaeological sites completed prior to major projects like the deepening of the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbor in the 1980s, as well as ocean bottom surveys for oil rig platforms and gas pipelines. This material represents only a small fraction of his professional work. A series of maps in the collection documents areas off the coast of California in a continuous run from Point Estero to the Mexican border, which was the foundation of his published report, Archaeological Resource Study: Morro Bay to Mexican Border (1987). The collection also contains an unpublished compilation of data organized by Pierson and Patrick G. Gibson documenting hundreds of shipwreck sites and other underwater obstructions (circa 1977), some writings by others, and a handful of files on Pierson's interest in underwater salvage operations. It includes correspondence from Dr. James Moriarty III, who was interested in the discovery of Chinese anchor stones of the coast of California in the 1970s and was investigating their origin.
    Arranged in three series: 1) WORK PROJECTS, 2) SHIPWRECK AND SITE RESEARCH, and 3) MISCELLANEOUS.

    Biography

    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).

    Preferred Citation

    Larry J. Pierson Papers. MSS 753. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.

    Acquisition Information

    Acquired 2012-2013

    OFF-SITE STORAGE

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

    Publication Rights

    Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Marine archaeologists -- California -- Archives
    Underwater archaeology -- California -- Pacific Coast
    Archaeological site location -- California -- Pacific Coast
    Salvage archaeology
    Pierson, Larry J. -- Archives