Eastern States Archeological Federation

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Posted 5/25/2010:

The 2010 ESAF meeting will be held in conjunction with the Archaeological Society of Virginia's annual meeting. The ASV's announcement can be accessed by CLICKING HERE.

Posted 6/4/2009:

Richard "Dick" George

Richard L. George, 79, of North Huntingdon, PA, passed away Friday, May 29, 2009, in Pittsburgh, following a five-month illness. He was born in Braddock, the son of Albert and Mary Hill George. His grandfather had been recruited from Cornwall, England, by Andrew Carnegie to bring the specific blast furnace technology to Braddock for the planned Edgar Thompson Steel Works. Dick's father, Albert, also worked in the Braddock steel mill, on call 24 hours a day as a superintendent. Dick earned a B.A. in commerce and finance from Pennsylvania State University in 1952. He enlisted in the Air Force on Aug. 25, 1952, and served in the Korean War as a cryptographer. He joined the Section of Anthropology at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in 1968 as a field archaeologist and, in 1975, received his Master of Arts degree in anthropology from the University of Pittsburgh. Dick was a major scholar of the Monongahela Indian culture, which disappeared from southwestern Pennsylvania by 1935. His research was devoted to discovering the extent, influence and collapse of that culture through the excavation of their stockade villages, such as the Ryan and Gnagy sites, and he was instrumental in the protection of these sites through cooperation with the nationwide Archaeological Conservancy. He was a leading figure in reconstructing the pre-Columbian past of the Upper Ohio Valley, and not just the Monongahela, but for most time periods of prehistory. In his research, Dick worked closely with members of the Allegheny, Westmoreland and Somerset chapters of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology. He published his research in the journal "Pennsylvania Archaeologist" and in the bulletin of the Archaeology of Eastern North America and presented numerous papers at The Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, Eastern States Archaeological Federation and Society for American Archaeology conferences. Prior to his retirement in 2002, he held the position of archaeologist/collection manager at the museum. Following his retirement, he was named a research associate and continued to work for the museum as a volunteer, continuing his remarkable publication record, providing a foundation for the interpretation and reconstruction of western Pennsylvania Indian cultural development that will be used far into the future by archaeologists. He also brought archaeology to the public through a popular publication about the work done at the McJunkin site. Dick served as the correspondence secretary for the Eastern States Archaeological Federation. He was also a long time member of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology (SPA) and, in 1997, his interest in youth was recognized by the establishment of an annual award for youth involvement in archaeology called the Shrader/George Youth Award. He received another tribute from SPA in 2008 when he was given the first Lifetime Achievement Award for his research and support of archaeology in western Pennsylvania. Dick had a deep love for his family and friends and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. His favorite hobby, the Pennsylvania Railroad, provided the opportunity to enjoy many rides with his children and grandchildren, sharing another of his great passions, which was nature. He dearly loved his pets and kept bird feeders stocked on a strict time schedule. Dick will be remembered and sorely missed by his family, friends and colleagues for the twinkle in his eye, his humor, generosity and for his hilarious presentations on lawn ornaments. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert George Sr. and Mary Hill George; and brother, Albert George Jr. He is survived by his loving wife, Donna; daughter, Heidi George; stepsons, Robert and Richard Arth; and grandchildren, Zack, Chad, Chrissy, Luke, Justin and Robert. Plans for a memorial celebration of Dick's life are currently being planned. Professional services entrusted to the care of THOMAS M. SMITH FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY LTD., Blawnox.