Ray Matheny
Encyclopedia
Ray T. Matheny is a professor of anthropology at Brigham Young University
(BYU).
Matheny was in the United States Air Force during World War II
and spent some of this time as a prisoner of war of the Germans. After the war he was a mechanic for Western Air Lines and then joined the military again to serve in the Korean War
. By the time he began his studies at BYU he was a 32-year-old freshman with a wife and four children.
He earned his bachelor's degree at BYU in 1960 and a Ph.D. in anthropology
from the University of Oregon
in 1968. He has been involved in many archaeological expeditions to Mayan
cities. He has been closely connected with the New World Archaeology Foundation.
Matheny has been accused of being an opponent of the historicity of the Book of Mormon
. These derive from a Sunstone
Symposium in the early 1980s when he was pressured into giving a talk where he was to present the reaction of a non-LDS archaeologist to the Book of Mormon. Despite the fact that his remarks which were meant to be reflective of what he perceived as how others view the issue and not of his own thoughts or impressions, many opponents of the historicity of the Book of Mormon have sought to circulate this story in a way to undermine its accuracy.
Matheny has also been involved in archaeological studies of the Southwestern United States, Utah
, and Bronze Age
Israel
. He has also edited a volume on the rock art of the inter-mountain region of the United States.
In 2002 the government of Campeche
recognized Matheny for his contributions to Mayan archeology.
Matheny was also closely connected with the establishment of the BYU Field School in Southern Utah.
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
(BYU).
Matheny was in the United States Air Force during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and spent some of this time as a prisoner of war of the Germans. After the war he was a mechanic for Western Air Lines and then joined the military again to serve in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. By the time he began his studies at BYU he was a 32-year-old freshman with a wife and four children.
He earned his bachelor's degree at BYU in 1960 and a Ph.D. in anthropology
Anthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
from the University of Oregon
University of Oregon
-Colleges and schools:The University of Oregon is organized into eight schools and colleges—six professional schools and colleges, an Arts and Sciences College and an Honors College.- School of Architecture and Allied Arts :...
in 1968. He has been involved in many archaeological expeditions to Mayan
Maya civilization
The Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization, noted for the only known fully developed written language of the pre-Columbian Americas, as well as for its art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems. Initially established during the Pre-Classic period The Maya is a Mesoamerican...
cities. He has been closely connected with the New World Archaeology Foundation.
Matheny has been accused of being an opponent of the historicity of the Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
. These derive from a Sunstone
Sunstone
Sunstone is a plagioclase feldspar, which when viewed from certain directions exhibits a brilliant spangled appearance; this has led to its use as a gemstone. It has been found in Southern Norway, and in some United States localities...
Symposium in the early 1980s when he was pressured into giving a talk where he was to present the reaction of a non-LDS archaeologist to the Book of Mormon. Despite the fact that his remarks which were meant to be reflective of what he perceived as how others view the issue and not of his own thoughts or impressions, many opponents of the historicity of the Book of Mormon have sought to circulate this story in a way to undermine its accuracy.
Matheny has also been involved in archaeological studies of the Southwestern United States, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, and Bronze Age
Bronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. He has also edited a volume on the rock art of the inter-mountain region of the United States.
In 2002 the government of Campeche
Campeche
Campeche is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Located in Southeast Mexico, it is bordered by the states of Yucatán to the north east, Quintana Roo to the east, and Tabasco to the south west...
recognized Matheny for his contributions to Mayan archeology.
Matheny was also closely connected with the establishment of the BYU Field School in Southern Utah.