Center for Environment & Society
John L. Seidel
Director, Center for Environment & Society
Lammot DuPont Copeland Associate Professor of Anthropology and Environmental Studies
E-mail: jseidel2@washcoll.edu
Phone: (800) 422-1782, ext. 7756
Office: Custom House, 101 S. Water Street
Archaeology Lab: Custom House, 410-810-7164
Education
B.A., Drew University, 1976; M.A. Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania, 1980; M.A. American Civilization, University of Pennsylvania 1981; Ph.D. Historical Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania, 1987.
Office Hours
Hours change each semester, but walk-ins are encouraged.
Courses Taught
- Introduction to Environmental Archaeology
- Cultures and Environments of the Chesapeake
- Doing Archaeology
- Maritime Archaeology
- Reconstructing Past Environments
- Archaeology and Historic Preservation in Maryland
- Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology
- Ancient Myths & World Mysteries
- Summer Field School in Archaeology
- Summer Field Study in Bermuda (with Prof. Donald Munson)
Areas of Interest
- environmental archaeology
- maritime archaeology
- historic preservation
- natural and cultural resource management
- remote sensing
- GIS & computer applications in resource management
- benthic habitat and coastal zone assessment
- long-term climate change
Current Research Projects
Marine archaeology and natural resource surveys of the Chester River and other tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay; formulation of a predictive model and Geographic Information System (GIS) for archaeological sites on Maryland's Upper Eastern Shore; long-term environmental and stabilization study of the 1748 wreck of HMS "Fowey," Biscayne, Florida with the National Park Service's Submerged Resource Unit; shallow water habitat assessment in the Chesapeake Bay, Fire Island National Seashore and other estuarine or coastal zones; climate change and local and regional climate protection planning.
Boards and Committees (selected)
Chestertown Historic District Commission; Maryland Historical Trust Board of Trustees.
Favorite Activities
SCUBA diving, boating, travel, music, reading.
Travel Destinations
Recent trips (in the last two years): Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. Where do I want to go next? The Galapagos, Antarctica, Alaska, any of the Pacific Islands, back to the Mediterranean, and so on, and so on, and so on...
Some Recommended Internet sites
- http://archnet.asu.edu/
One of the best all-around sites on archaeology - http://skepdic.com/
The Skeptic's Dictionary - things aren't always what they seem, or what others tell you - here's a site that brings a rationale perspective to many so-called "mysteries." - http://talkorigins.org/
Great site on evolution, with frequently asked questions and responses to assaults on scientific approaches to studying our biological past. - http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's site. - http://www.pophaus.com/underwater/
Links to resources and tools for underwater archaeology - http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/archaeology/
A BBC page on archaeology, with links to a variety of subjects: human remains, virtual sites, marine archaeology, the history of archaeology, and DNA research, among others. - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/prevsitesubj.html
NOVA's listing of web sites associated with their programs-check the listings under "Social Studies" for archaeological materials. Check "Lost King of the Maya," "Mysteries of the Nile," and "Vessel of Doom." - http://mayaruins.com/
Wonderful photos of Maya sites. - http://www.ballgame.org/main.asp?section=5
Play the Mesoamerican Ball Game—but don't lose! - http://ces.washcoll.edu/
Wonder why I like this one?!
300 Washington Avenue, Chestertown, Maryland 21620 | 410-778-2800 | 800-422-1782