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 The collection also contains an unpublished compilation of data organized by Pierson and Patrick G. Gibson documenting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