4/11/18
Media Contact: Angela Patton apatton2@illinois.edu
The Illinois Archaeological Survey recently published their 28th and 29th volume in honor of Dr. Thomas E. Emerson. Dr. Emerson’s career has spanned over 45 years in cultural resource management and during that time he has been a passionate advocate for publishing archaeological research. The double journal makes up 1,029 pages and features over 55 authors. The volumes were edited by Dr. John Walthall and David J. Nolan.
“As a working field investigator, State Historic Preservation Officer, Director of the Illinois State Archaeological Survey (ISAS), and the first State Archaeologist, Emerson has been directly involved in the writing, implementation, and oversight of several important Illinois cultural resource laws, numerous ground breaking scientific studies, and some of the largest and most complex excavations ever undertaken in the country! However, perhaps his greatest contribution to the discipline is the extensive body of published reports and research relating to CRM-driven projects. As a result of his thorough analysis, well-crafted words, and dedication to excellence, Tom has given voice to an untold number of stories about Illinois’ earlier inhabitants. Thomas E. Emerson’s overall productivity and publication record are unmatched in the annals of Eastern Woodlands archaeology, putting him on par with some of the other giants in the field, such as James B. Griffin and Louis R. Binford,” said David J Nolan. Nolan is a Coordinator for the Western Illinois Field Station at ISAS and one of the volume editors of the festschrift.
The volumes are comprised of over 40 individual essays and articles that explore and expand upon various aspects of Emerson’s wide-ranging archaeological research interests. Nolan went on to say, “The work in these wonderful volumes will be widely cited by researchers for years to come, and like Emerson himself, will have a continuing impact on the discipline beyond the current milieu.”
Dr. Emerson announced earlier in 2018 he will be retiring as Director of the Illinois State Archaeological Survey and IL State Archaeologist. To see a selected bibliography of Dr. Emerson’s, visit the link below.
https://www.isas.illinois.edu/cms/one.aspx?portalId=260711&pageId=278010
or to obtain a copy of the journals visit the link below
https://ilarchsurv.org/current_pubs