Glenn Albert Black
Encyclopedia
Glenn Albert Black was an influential archaeologist
of the United States who was the first professional to study Indiana prehistoric sites. He was born 18 August 1900 in Indianapolis, Indiana
and died 2 September 1964.
Black began serious archaeological work before there were many training opportunities in archaeology in the United States. He did not receive a college degree until the award of an honorary degree from Wabash College
in 1951. He is considered to have been the only professional archaeologist focusing on Indiana
ancient history until the 1960s. He is primarily responsible for the identification of thousands of Native American
archaeological sites in the area, including the Angel Mounds
, which he brought to national attention. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964.
Black is best known for his posthumously published two-volume study of the Angel Mounds near Evansville, Indiana
and their cultural tradition. He operated a field school at the site. His innovative excavations inspired the University of Chicago
Field School, one of the few training programs in archaeological field techniques in the United States in the early 20th century. Black is also notable for investigating the veracity of the Walam Olum
creation account through archaeological means.
In addition to leading and reporting on excavations, he served in the Society for American Archaeology
as President (1941-1942), Vice President (1939-1940), and Treasurer (1947-1951). The Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology at Indiana University
, established in 1971, is named for him.
Archaeology
Archaeology, or archeology , is the study of human society, primarily through the recovery and analysis of the material culture and environmental data that they have left behind, which includes artifacts, architecture, biofacts and cultural landscapes...
of the United States who was the first professional to study Indiana prehistoric sites. He was born 18 August 1900 in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
and died 2 September 1964.
Black began serious archaeological work before there were many training opportunities in archaeology in the United States. He did not receive a college degree until the award of an honorary degree from Wabash College
Wabash College
Wabash College is a small, private, liberal arts college for men, located in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Along with Hampden-Sydney College and Morehouse College, Wabash is one of only three remaining traditional all-men's liberal arts colleges in the United States.-History:Wabash College was founded...
in 1951. He is considered to have been the only professional archaeologist focusing on Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
ancient history until the 1960s. He is primarily responsible for the identification of thousands of Native American
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
archaeological sites in the area, including the Angel Mounds
Angel Mounds
Angel Mounds State Historic Site is located on the Ohio River in Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties eight miles southeast of Evansville and just upriver of the confluence of the Green and Ohio rivers. Administered by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Indiana State Museums...
, which he brought to national attention. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1964.
Black is best known for his posthumously published two-volume study of the Angel Mounds near Evansville, Indiana
Evansville, Indiana
Evansville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Indiana and the largest city in Southern Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 117,429. It is the county seat of Vanderburgh County and the regional hub for both Southwestern Indiana and the...
and their cultural tradition. He operated a field school at the site. His innovative excavations inspired the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
Field School, one of the few training programs in archaeological field techniques in the United States in the early 20th century. Black is also notable for investigating the veracity of the Walam Olum
Walam Olum
The Walam Olum or Walum Olum, usually translated as "Red Record" or "Red Score," is purportedly a historical narrative of the Lenape Native American tribe. The document has provoked controversy as to its authenticity since its publication in the 1830s by botanist and antiquarian Constantine Samuel...
creation account through archaeological means.
In addition to leading and reporting on excavations, he served in the Society for American Archaeology
Society for American Archaeology
The Society for American Archaeology is the largest organization of professional archaeologists of the Americas in the world. The Society was founded in 1934 and today has over 7000 members. The Society holds an annual conference and publishes the flagship journal of American archaeology,...
as President (1941-1942), Vice President (1939-1940), and Treasurer (1947-1951). The Glenn A. Black Laboratory of Archaeology at Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
, established in 1971, is named for him.