Research Resources

This page brings together reliable resources for researching Pennsylvania archaeology. 

Pennsylvania Archaeology & Historic Preservation

Publications & Research

  • The Pennsylvania Archaeologist
    The Society’s journal featuring original archaeological research.

  • SPA Newsletter
    Society news, chapter updates, and short research notes.

  • Regional and Comparative Journals
    These regional and comparative journals publish archaeological research from Pennsylvania and neighboring states, offering important context for understanding Middle Atlantic and Northeastern archaeology..

    • Middle Atlantic Archaeological Conference —
      Publishes the Journal of Middle Atlantic Archaeology, a peer-reviewed journal focused on archaeological research in Pennsylvania and neighboring Middle Atlantic states.

    • Council for Northeast Historical Archaeology —
      Publishes Northeast Historical Archaeology, a peer-reviewed journal addressing historical archaeology across the Northeast and Middle Atlantic regions.

    • Archaeological Society of New Jersey —
      Publishes the Bulletin of the Archaeological Society of New Jersey, which frequently includes research applicable to eastern Pennsylvania and the Delaware Valley.

    • Archeological Society of Maryland —
      Publishes Maryland Archeology, a peer-reviewed journal presenting archaeological research from Maryland and the Chesapeake region relevant to Middle Atlantic studies.

    • New York State Archaeological Association —
      Publishes the Bulletin of the New York State Archaeological Association, featuring archaeological research from New York and the broader Northeast that provides comparative context for Pennsylvania archaeology.

    • Eastern States Archaeological Federation (ESAF) —
      Publishes the Bulletin of the Eastern States Archaeological Federation, featuring comparative archaeological research from the eastern United States, including Pennsylvania and neighboring regions.

    • Ohio History Connection —
      Publishes the Ohio Journal of Science and related archaeological research through Ohio History, providing comparative regional scholarship relevant to Pennsylvania archaeology

Books & Monographs

Readers are encouraged to supplement these archaeological works with Indigenous-authored perspectives and community-based histories.

  • First Pennsylvanians— Kurt W. Carr and Roger W. Moeller
    A comprehensive synthesis of Native American archaeology in Pennsylvania from the Paleoindian period through the Late Prehistoric era.

  • The Archaeology of Native Americans in Pennsylvania — Edited by Kurt W. Carr, Christopher T. Bergman, Christina B. Rieth, Bernard K. Means, and Roger W. Moeller
    An edited scholarly volume synthesizing archaeological research on Native American communities across Pennsylvania, presenting regional case studies, methodological approaches, and interpretive frameworks spanning deep prehistory through the contact period.

  • Foragers and Farmers of the Early and Middle Woodland Periods in Pennsylvania — Edited by Paul A. Raber and Patricia A. Miller
    An edited scholarly volume examining archaeological evidence for social, economic, and technological change in Pennsylvania during the Early and Middle Woodland periods, with a focus on subsistence strategies, settlement patterns, and regional interaction.

  • The Nature and Pace of Change in American Indian Cultures — Edited by R. Michael Stewart, Kurt W. Carr, and Paul A. Raber
    An edited scholarly volume examining cultural change in Pennsylvania between 4000 and 3000 BP through archaeological case studies and regional analysis.

  • Indian Paths of Pennsylvania — Paul A. W. Wallace
    A foundational study of Indigenous travel routes and landscape use in Pennsylvania, integrating archaeological, historical, and ethnographic evidence.

  • The Susquehannocks: New Perspectives on Settlement and Cultural Identity — Edited by Paul A. Raber
    An edited scholarly volume presenting archaeological research on Susquehannock settlement patterns, material culture, and cultural identity, incorporating updated interpretations and regional case studies from Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic.

  • Susquehanna’s Indians — Barry C. Kent
    A regional archaeological synthesis examining Indigenous communities of the Susquehanna River valley, widely cited in Pennsylvania archaeology and important for understanding mid- to late-Holocene cultural developments in the region.

  • Digging in the City of Brotherly Love: Stories from Philadelphia Archaeology — Rebecca Yamin
    An accessible introduction to urban and historical archaeology in Philadelphia, using case studies to explore everyday life, social history, and public archaeology. Widely used by students and professionals as an entry point into community-based and historical archaeological research
  • Late Woodland Cultures of the Middle Atlantic Region — Edited volume
    A collection of research papers addressing Late Woodland societies in the Middle Atlantic region, including Pennsylvania.

Laws, Ethics, and Research Context

Archaeological research is governed by federal and state laws designed to protect sites, cultural resources, and descendant communities. Understanding these laws is essential for responsible research and public engagement.

Federal Preservation Laws

Pennsylvania Laws and Regulations

Additional Research Tools

The following organizations and resources support archaeological research, education, and professional standards.

University Research Centers

Museum Collections and Catalogs

  • State Museum of Pennsylvania —
    Houses archaeological collections from across the Commonwealth and supports research, curation, and public interpretation of Pennsylvania’s past.

  • Carnegie Museum of Natural History —
    Maintains significant archaeological and anthropological collections used for research, education, and exhibition.

  • Penn Museum —
    An international leader in archaeological research with collections and publications that provide broader comparative context for regional studies.

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