SAS Webinar
“Meadowcroft Rockshelter: Archaeological Excavation Challenged Clovis-First Peopling Model”
by
Dr. James M. Adovasio, Archaeologist, Primary Investigator
Introduced by Phil Fitzgibbons, Participating Archaeologist
Saturday, February 10, 2024
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 PM PT
James. M. Adovasio, Ph.D., D.Sc. achieved world acclaim as an archaeologist in the 1970s with his excavation of Pennsylvania’s Meadowcroft Rockshelter. Meadowcroft is widely recognized as one of the earliest well-dated archaeological sites in North America, with evidence of human habitation dating to ca. 16,000 years ago. Perhaps, more importantly, Meadowcroft is considered to be one of the most meticulous excavations ever conducted, anywhere. During his career, he has specialized in the analysis of perishable materials (basketry, textiles, cordage, etc.) and the application of high-tech methods in archaeological research. In recent years, his research has confronted another of archaeology’s mysteries by delving underwater to seek submerged evidence of early Americans off the coast of Florida in the Gulf of Mexico. Recently, he was the principal investigator of the re-excavation at the Old Vero Man Site in Florida. This Late Ice Age locality has figured prominently in the history of American Anthropology and promises to yield new insights into the behavior of the First Floridians. He is the author of more than 500 books, book chapters, monographs, articles, and papers which include “The Invisible Sex: Uncovering the True Roles of Women in Pre-History,” “The First Americans: In Pursuit of Archaeology’s Greatest Mystery,” and “Basketry Technology,” and most recently “Strangers in a New Land.” Adovasio received his undergraduate degree in anthropology from the University of Arizona and doctorate in anthropology from the University of Utah. He is formerly the Director of Archaeology at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University and currently Director of Archaeology at Senator John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
