Spring/Summer 1999
Charles Stanish is Acting Director of the Institute of Archaeology for the academic year 1998-99	Director's Message More than any other institution of its kind in the world, the Institute embodies archaeology's future By Charles Stanish In many ways we live in a golden age of archaeology. It is true that many sites are tragically destroyed every year. In most areas of the world, however, there are enough sites from all time periods to let us address the whole range of questions that we as archaeologists seek to ask. Travel to our field sites and logistics at those sites is easier and more inexpensive than at any time in history. It was not long ago that many expeditions took months to prepare for, set up, and maintain. Today, an inexpensive airfare can get an archaeologist to almost any area of the world in a matter of a day or two. Likewise, communications via the Internet and publications with digital technology means that we can disseminate our data in a fraction of the time that traditional publishing requires. Other technologies, such as total station mapping, geographical information systems, and new laboratory techniques, permit us to collect exponentially more data than was imaginable just a generation ago. One hundred years from now, historians will indeed look back at our time as a golden age when every year professionals would fan across the globe to document irreplaceable human heritage. The archaeology of the future is built on sound theoretical concepts, state-of-the-art technology, first-rate training, and solid institutional support. More than any other institution of its kind in the world, the Institute of Archaeology embodies this future. The sheer amount of professional archaeology conducted by faculty, students, and staff this year alone is amazing. Liz Carter recovered the remains of the world's oldest chiefdom in Anatolia. Richard Lesure documented early village sites in Mexico. Lothar von Falkenhausen is documenting Neolithic sites in China. Giorgio Buccellati continues to uncover the secrets of the third millennium in Syria. Jeanne Arnold tells us more about the native Californians every year. Tom Plummer uncovers the secrets of our hominid ancestors. Chris Donnan discovered another Moche tomb in coastal Peru. Tom Wake explores the early history of coastal California. Richard Leventhal continues his research in Belize. My team continued to record sites in highland Peru. The labs continue to process data and provide insight into the ancient world. Publications has published two new volumes. Graduate students work around the globe documenting, analyzing, and preserving sites. The Institute of Archaeology not only represents the future of archaeology in the twenty-first century; it is creating it. Everyone who is a part of this institution-the faculty, staff, graduate students, members of the Friends of Archaeology, research associates, and volunteers-should be proud of what we are accomplishing.
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