John Seidel, Ph.D.

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

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

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.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?!