Archaeology of Eastern North America: Papers in Honor of Stephen Williams, edited by James B. Stoltman. Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Archaeological Report No. 25, Jackson, MS, 1993

Andrew L Christenson

doi:10.5334/bha.05108

Abstract

This well-produced volume honors Stephen Williams, recently retired Peabody Professor of American Archaeology at Harvard University. Section one, on Williams' life, career, and publications, is of most interest to readers of BHA. Chapter 1, by James B. Griffin details Williams' career in teaching, in museum management, and southeastern archaeology and ethnohistory. Williams served as chairman of at least 25 doctoral committees and is credited with chairing more women's committees than any other Harvard archaeologist (Claassen 1994:7). Except for mention of his recent book, Fantastic Archaeology, neither this chapter or any other provides information on Williams' interest in and contributions to the history of archaeology. Chapter 2 provides his twin brother, Philip's, perception of their early life together and divergence once they reached college. Philip seems to have had the initial interest in archaeology and both brothers went to Lloyd Wilford's 1947 summer field school in Minnesota, but Philip ended up in business while Stephen went on in archaeology.

Highlights

Section one, on Williams' life, career, and publications, is of most interest to readers of BHA
Items of relevance to the history of archaeol ogy that are not listed here are his introductions to two important archaeological reprints (Williams 1 973a, 1 973b) and a set of three meeting papers on pioneers of Tennessee archaeology, the Ocmulgee investigations. and early archaeology in Cincinnati (Williams 1 987)
The true focus of a festschrift is,. the scholar being honored and that in itself, it may cut down on the number ofpotential buyers, is why such volumes are of great value to those interested in scholarly influence

Summary

Introduction

On Williams' life, career, and publications, is of most interest to readers of BHA. Items of relevance to the history of archaeol ogy that are not listed here are his introductions to two important archaeological reprints (Williams 1 973a, 1 973b) and a set of three meeting papers on pioneers of Tennessee archaeology, the Ocmulgee investigations. Early archaeology in Cincinnati (Williams 1 987).

Results

Conclusion