Historical Archaeology
Historical Archaeology is a multidisciplinary field combining written historical records with archaeological data to study the past since the fifteenth century. North American historical archaeology begins with European colonization and aims to understand the development of the modern world within a variety of local contexts. New York contains a wide range of historical sites including Dutch settlements, farmsteads, Erie Canal structures, Industrial sites, ship wrecks, battlefields and fortifications, and many different types of urban sites across the state. The goal of historical archaeology at the New York State Museum is to preserve, study, and disseminate information about New York’s rich heritage through fieldwork and archaeological collections at the museum.
Dr. Michael T. Lucas
Curator of Historical Archaeology michael.lucas@nysed.gov
My research is broadly focused on the history and archaeology of the early colonies in North America from the last quarter of the seventeenth century to the American Revolution. I am particularly interested in the exploitation of labor during the eighteenth century.
Recent Acquisition: Long Island Archaeology Collection
Published June 26, 2015 | Historical Archaeology
The State Museum recently acquired an archaeological collection from the former Institute for Long Island Archaeology at Stony Brook University. This collection consists of artifacts from 47 significant archaeological sites, including both pr...
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