New Editor’s introduction

When I was asked if I was interested in returning as editor of this journal, I immediately accepted. I had been editor for nearly 30 years, but had to step down due to health issues. Nine years later, my health issues are resolved.

I bring to this position a very diversified background with a world-wide perspective and multi-disciplinary experiences. Building upon an undergraduate and graduate degree in anthropology specializing in Northeastern US prehistoric archaeology, I went into archaeological research for a small museum, computer programming, business management, publishing, editing, and law enforcement consulting. To keep in touch with local affairs in my small town, I worked part-time in a hardware store. After that, I spent 27 years working part-time in a print shop doing everything but running the presses.

I received my B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College and M.A. and Ph.D. from State University of New York at Buffalo in Anthropology. I have been President of the Archaeological Society of Connecticut, Eastern States Archeological Federation, Middle Atlantic Archaeological Conference, and New York State Archaeological Association; and Business Manager of the Eastern States Archeological Federation (1979–2017). I am/was editor of Bulletin of the Eastern States Archeological Federation (2013–2016), North American Archaeologist (1981–2011, 2020 to present), Abstracts in Anthropology (1986–present), A Current Bibliography on African Affairs (1999–present), Journal of Middle Atlantic Archaeology (1985–present), Occasional Publications in Northeastern Anthropology (1990–present); Pennsylvania Archaeologist (2018–present); and production person for the CARReader [Connecticut Association for Reading Research] (2010–2013).

My recent books have focused on major syntheses of prehistoric sites in Pennsylvania (Carr et al., 2020; Carr and Moeller, 2015). The application of anthropology and archaeology in years of criminal investigations is discussed (Moeller, 2018).

I have been or still am webmaster for archaeological, medical equipment, heavy machine manufacturing, spa, and military web sites. Each went through a period of popularity with its niche audience, but none were spectacularly successful.

My first excavations were at multi-component, prehistoric sites in the Upper Delaware Valley of Pennsylvania under the direction of W. Fred Kinsey, III. My dissertation research was the Late Woodland component at one of these, the Faucett site (revised and updated version, Moeller, 2011). The Templeton (aka 6LF21) Paleoindian site in Connecticut (Moeller, 1980) that I excavated in 1977 and again in 1982 has been revisited for extensive testing, excavation, and analysis by Zachary Singer. I have also conducted research on prehistoric sites or collections in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Iowa, and Delaware.

I am a very strong proponent of the multi-disciplinary approach in all aspects of archaeological research. I applied anthropological models while assigned to the military intelligence section of an artillery battalion in Vietnam and returned with insights into Third World subsistence patterns and priorities useful to interpreting prehistoric components of Northeastern US prehistoric sites. Because of my experiences throughout Southeast Asia and Europe, I see the limitations of being bound by modern geographical boundaries.

Archaeology should not be limited by geography. I will consider articles written about sites and collections from any location where the results and insights are relevant over a larger region. An excellent example is lithic sourcing. Lithics found in quarries and outcrops in Pennsylvania have been documented in excavations in other states. Humans are obviously transporting these lithics, but what are the cultural processes involved? Are Pennsylvania people migrating and taking their favorite materials? Are they returning as part of their seasonal round? Did they leave for other reasons and return only for their favorite materials? Techniques and processes recognized here are potentially useful elsewhere.

In my discussions with undergraduate and graduate anthropology majors who want to pursue careers in archaeology, I encourage them to consider the application of their skills in non-traditional ways. So many of these students are specializing too soon. They want to pursue their true passions before seeing the big picture. Not many will find a university position with teaching, field schools, laboratory facilities, and students all pursuing a common research interest. I had this in a small museum until their focus changed. I had to apply my skill set elsewhere.

Archaeological organizations are like the Shakers without the nice furniture—we cannot reproduce sexually, but must proselytize to add to our sphere of influence. We depend upon the membership of individual organizations for attendance at the annual meeting, for presenters at all meetings, for authors, and for board members. To remain responsive and relevant to the changing times, we need to get new members, presenters, authors, and board members to supplement and replace the ones who leave. The best way to do this to make presentations and write articles relevant to a very diverse audience.

The journal has two modes of communication: written and visual. All too frequently authors will write a great story, but the graphics fail to bring the words to life. The authors know what the pictures are supposed to illustrate. They have used these pictures in Powerpoint presentations and shared them on social media and web sites. However, they do not realize how poorly these may translate to the printed page. The minimum resolution for photographs is 300 dpi and for line art (i.e., charts, drawings) is 600 dpi. After struggling with “foolproof” guidelines for many years, I have found the solution. I examine the graphics in Photoshop, adjust brightness, contrast, try blurring and sharpening, import it into the layout program, size it, create a print ready PDF using the PDF/X-1a:2001 standard, and laser print the result. If it brings out the salient points, then it is good to go.

Authors can submit color graphics with the reminder that they may be appropriate for a color PDF, but not the printed book. Salient points must also be distinct when the color is converted to black and white for publication.

I will endeavor to make this journal responsive to the wants and needs of the diverse interests of the subscribers. To work toward that goal, I will need people to submit articles. Prospective authors need not be limited to professional archaeologists. Individuals from fields related to archaeology are also welcome.