Archaeological Publications

Books

The Archaeology of Native Americans in Pennsylvania

To be released summer 2016. Edited by Kurt W. Carr, Roger Moeller, Christopher Bergman, Bernard Means, Christina Rieth.

This book is the culmination of a 15 year project to develop a synthesis of Native American archaeology in Pennsylvania. This will serve as a context for future research in the region and for the evaluation of archaeological sites to the National Register of Historic Places. There is no other book covering the Middle Atlantic region written by professionals that provide this level of detail on prehistory. It will be used by professionals at universities and museums in problem oriented research; by archaeologists at state and federal agencies in evaluating the appropriate methodology for data collection and for evaluating the significance of sites; and by students as a reference book on Middle Atlantic archaeology.

It is divided into 18 chapters organized into five sections based on time periods and the major drainage basins. Each chapter follows a similar outline and contains a map of archaeological sites referenced in the chapter and a list of radiometric dates.

This project is a partnership between the State Museum of Pennsylvania's Section of Archaeology, The Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, Inc, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.

First Pennsylvanians

Released summer 2015. Written by Kurt W. Carr and Roger Moeller.

This book will show how life changed from the time when mastodons roamed the Commonwealth until the early days of European exploration and settlement. Beginning over 16,000 years ago with Native American ancestors migrating into the New World during the Ice Age or the Pleistocene Epoch, by AD 1492, the ultimate test for Native Americans was coping with the sudden appearance of a culture totally unlike any they had ever encountered: Europeans. In between the time of the arrival and dispersal of Native Americans, there is a fascinating story of an incredible variety of cultural developments and responses to changes in the environment. This book will emphasize that human culture is our adaptation to the natural environment and cultural environment. This is a process of people adapting to changing natural environments, increasing human population density, and influences from adjacent cultures while developing new solutions to complex interpersonal relationships.

Shovel Ready

Released 2013. Edited by Bernard K. Means.

Shovel Ready provides a comprehensive lens through which to view the New Deal period, a fascinating and prolific time in American archaeology. 328 pp., illus. paperback or ebook. Available from the University of Alabama Press.

Additional Titles

Below are a few examples of the many titles available at ShopPAHeritage.com.

Classification Guide for Arrowheads and Spearpoints of Eastern Pennsylvania and the Central Middle Atlantic. Jay F. Custer, 2001. This comprehensive guide provides a clear and concise method for identifying - in most cases - the age and origin of arrowheads and spearpoints found in Pennsylvania and the surrounding middle Atlantic region. Includes extensive drawings of projectiles, and an easy-to-use classification guide. This book will be an invaluable resource for both amateur and professional archaeologists. 142 pp., 8 1/2 x 11. paperback

Foragers and Farmers of the Early and Middle Woodland Periods in Pennsylvania. Paul A. Raber and Verna L. Cowin, eds., 2003. The papers in this volume reflect a range of recent thought and research in what Raber describes as the most "enigmatic periods of Pennsylvania's prehistory." The papers were chosen to represent a variety of viewpoints and approaches to the period, and include evidence from all parts of the Commonwealth. This volume will be of interest to archaeologist and students of archaeology. (PHMC in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Archaeological Council). 142 pp., 8 1/2 x 11, illus. paperback.

Indian Paths of Pennsylvania. Paul A. W. Wallace, 1987. This book describes and maps ancient Indian trails throughout Pennsylvania, bringing to readers a history and guide to these historic paths. 227 pp., 8 1/2 x I 1, append., biblio., foreword, index, illus. paperback

Classification Guide for Arrowheads and Spearpoints of Eastern Pennsylvania and the Central Middle Atlantic

Foragers and Farmers of the Early and Middle Woodland Periods in Pennsylvania

Indian Paths of Pennsylvania

Brochures

The PHMC creates and distributes many brochures about varying topics in archaeology.

Note: the following links are all PDF files.

Other Items Available for Download

Note: the following links are all PDF files.