All historical archaeologists will be pleased to learn that the prestigious
HARRIETTE MERRIFIELD FORBES AWARD, the highest award given
by the Association for Gravestone Studies, has been granted for the year
2000 to JAMES DEETZ and (posthumously) EDWIN DETHLEFSEN, two of our
colleagues. Recognition was for their pioneering work on gravestones and
cemeteries which was initiated in 1962 and continued for the rest of their
professional careers.

John Vlach accepted the award for both scholars at the AGS Annual Meeting
this June at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Deetz was not
able to attend the ceremony.

Deetz and Dethlefsen are the first historical archaeologists honored
with the Forbes Award. It should also be noted that Warren E. Roberts
(1924-1999), a leading folklorist and material culture expert, was
also honored with a Forbes presentation at the same ceremony. Many
of you may know of his research on log buildings and gravestones,
especially tree-stump stones in the Midwest.

Congratulations to the team of Deetz & Dethlefsen.

                                                R.L. Schuyler
Robert L. Schuyler
University of Pennsylvania Museum
33rd & Spruce Streets
Philadelphia, PA l9l04-6324

Tel: (215) 898-6965
Fax: (215) 898-0657
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