Search Results

Interviewee:

Wedel, Waldo R. (Waldo Rudolph), 1908-1996  Search this

Interviewer:

Banks, Larry D.  Search this

Givens, Douglas R.  Search this

Names:

River Basin Surveys  Search this

Smithsonian Institution  Search this

Boas, Franz, 1858-1942  Search this

Bushnell, David I., Jr. (David Ives), 1875-1941  Search this

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Haury, Emil W. (Emil Walter), 1904-1992  Search this

Hrdlička, Aleš, 1869-1943  Search this

Lehmer, Donald Jayne, 1918-1975  Search this

Roberts, Frank H. H. (Frank Harold Hanna), 1897-1966  Search this

Stephenson, Robert L. (Robert Lloyd), 1919-  Search this

Stewart, T. D. (Thomas Dale), 1901-1997  Search this

Stirling, Matthew Williams, 1896-1975  Search this

Strong, William Duncan, 1899-1962  Search this

Wedel, Mildred Mott  Search this

Extent:

2 Sound cassettes (analog)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Sound cassettes

Sound recordings

Interviews

Date:

1996 June 17

Scope and Contents:

Interview of Waldo R. Wedel conducted by Larry D. Banks and Douglas Givens on June 17, 1996 in Boulder, Colorado. The interview was conducted at Wedel's nursing home, a couple of months before he died.This interview is part of a series of oral histories of archaeologists recorded by Givens. Topics include Wedel's youth, career, fieldwork, colleagues, the Smithsonian Institution, and the River Basin Surveys.

Biographical / Historical:

Waldo R. Wedel was an archaeologist, best known for his contributions to Plains archaeology. He worked at the Smithsonian Institution from 1936 to 1977. He began his career at the Smithsonian as an assistant curator under Neil M. Judd in the Division of Archeology in the United States National Museum. He later became curator of archeology in 1950, and in 1962, he became head curator of the Department of Anthropology. In 1964-1965, he was acting head of the newly organized Smithsonian Office of Anthropology. Wedel also established and directed the Missouri Basin Project (1946-50) of the Bureau of American Ethnology's River Basin Surveys.

Local Numbers:

NAA MS 2011-29

General:

Date on box insert incorrectly listed as July 18, 1996.

Other Archival Materials:

See also Waldo R. Wedel and Mildred Mott Wedel Papers

Provenance:

Received from Dennis Stanford.

Topic:

Archaeology  Search this

Genre/Form:

Sound recordings

Interviews

Citation:

Manuscript 2011-29, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution.

Identifier:

NAA.MS2011-29

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw3f690200b-ddb5-4bcf-9d57-acf2d3494375

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-naa-ms2011-29

Photographer:

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Tschopik, Harry, 1915-1956  Search this

Ubbelohde-Doering, Heinrich, 1889-1972  Search this

Extent:

40 Prints (silver gelatin)

Culture:

Incas  Search this

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Prints

Photographs

Place:

Cuzco (Peru) -- depicted

Pachacamac (Peru) -- depicted

Tiahuanacu (Bolivia) -- depicted

Ollantaytambo (Peru) -- depicted

Machu Picchu Site (Peru) -- depicted

Date:

undated

Scope and Contents note:

The collection consists of enlargements that were made as part of a United States National Museum exhibit on Latin American archeology (opened in 1954). It includes photographs made at Machu Picchu, Ollantaytambo, Tiahuanaco, Cuzco, Sacahuaman, Urcos, Viru Valley, and Pachacamac. Photograpers include anthropologists Harry S. Tschopik, Jr., Clifford Evans, and Heinrich Ubbelohde-Doering.

Local Call Number(s):

NAA Photo Lot 66A

Location of Other Archival Materials:

The National Anthropological Archives also holds the Clifford Evans papers and Clifford Evans photograph collection of exhibits at the Museo de Arqueologia in Trujillo, Peru (Photo Lot 93-15D).

South American music recordings with notes by Harry Tschopik held in the Center for Folklife and Culutral Heritage, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections in the Moses and Frances Asch Collection.

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Access to the collection requires an appointment.

Rights:

Contact the repository for terms of use.

Genre/Form:

Photographs

Citation:

Photo lot 66A, Photographs collected for an Inca archeology exhibit, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Identifier:

NAA.PhotoLot.66A

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw31a83394e-4bfd-450f-8a96-f2f884618ec7

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-naa-photolot-66a

Creator:

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Meggers, Betty Jane  Search this

Names:

Judd, Neil Merton, 1887-1976  Search this

Extent:

3 Pages

1 Photograph

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Pages

Photographs

Date:

1977

Local Numbers:

NAA MS 7253

Citation:

Manuscript 7253, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Identifier:

NAA.MS7253

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw31eaeae0d-7e44-47e0-88f6-f2b6817d46d4

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-naa-ms7253

Collector:

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Photographer:

Harris & Ewing  Search this

Tolman, Ruel P. (Ruel Pardee), 1878-1954  Search this

Names:

National Museum of Natural History (U.S.). Department of Anthropology  Search this

Holmes, William Henry, 1846-1933  Search this

Hough, Walter, 1859-1935  Search this

Judd, Neil Merton, 1887-1976  Search this

Newman, Marshall T. (Marshall Thornton), 1911-1994  Search this

St. Hoyme, Lucile Eleanor  Search this

Stephenson, Robert L. (Robert Lloyd), 1919-  Search this

Strong, William Duncan, 1899-1962  Search this

Wetmore, Alexander, 1886-1978  Search this

Extent:

6 Prints (silver gelatin)

1 Print (halftone or collotype)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Prints

Photographs

Date:

circa 1933-1952

Scope and Contents note:

Photographs depicting members of the Smithsonian's Bureau of American Ethnology and Department of Anthropology. The collection includes photographs of William Duncan Strong, Robert Stephenson, and M.T. Newman in the field (1933, 1938, and 1952); a photograph of Walter Hough and Neil M. Judd (1935); a group portrait of the Department of Anthropology staff on the steps of the Natural History Building (1952); and winners at an award presentation for the department (1952). The collection also includes a photomechanical print with a portrait of William Henry Holmes, made by Harris & Ewing.

Biographical/Historical note:

Clifford Evans (1920-1981) was curator of Latin American archeology for the Smithsonian Institution's Museum of Natural History. Born in Dallas, Dr. Evans grew up in California and graduated from the University of Southern California in 1941. He served in the Army Air Force in World War II and later earned a doctorate at Columbia University.

A former instructor in archeology and anthropology, Dr. Evans joined the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History as a curator in 1951. A pioneer in studies of the prehistoric past of the Amazonian forest and lowlands, he conducted archeological field work throughout South America and in the Pacific Islands. He and his wife, anthropologist Betty Meggers, collaborated on more than 100 scientific articles and monographs. Dr. Evans was honored with the Washington Academy of Sciences Award for Scientific Achievement, the 37th International Congress of Americanists Gold Medal and the Order of Merit from the Government of Ecuador.

Local Call Number(s):

NAA Photo Lot 77-80

Location of Other Archival Materials:

Additional photographs of Smithsonian anthropologists can be found in the National Anthropological Archives in Photo Lot 4822, Photo Lot 7A, Photo Lot 7D, Photo Lot 33, Photo Lot 39, Photo Lot 77-52, and Photo Lot 92-35.

Additional photographs by Harris & Ewing can be found in the National Anthropological Archives in Photo Lot 24, Photo Lot 33, and Photo Lot 78-20.

The Library of Congress holds the Harris & Ewing Collection of glass and film negatives.

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Access to the collection requires an appointment.

Rights:

Contact the repository for terms of use.

Genre/Form:

Photographs

Citation:

Photo lot 77-80, Clifford Evans collection of photographs of Smithsonian anthropologists, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Identifier:

NAA.PhotoLot.77-80

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw38f42567b-8bd1-439f-8652-f001601c4ecf

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-naa-photolot-77-80

Depicted:

National Museum of Natural History (U.S.). Department of Anthropology  Search this

Allen, R. A.  Search this

Allen, Richard A.  Search this

Andrews, Andreas Joseph, d. 1992  Search this

Anglim, John E.  Search this

Blaker, Margaret Contant  Search this

Bray, William H.  Search this

Casanowicz, Immanuel M.  Search this

Collins, Henry B. (Henry Bascom), 1899-1987  Search this

Egberts, William H.  Search this

Elder, Robert A.  Search this

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Ewers, John C. (John Canfield), 1909-1997  Search this

Gibson, Gordon D. (Gordon Davis), 1915-2007  Search this

Hawley, Edwin H.  Search this

Hendley, H. W.  Search this

Holmes, William Henry, 1846-1933  Search this

Hrdlička, Aleš, 1869-1943  Search this

Jenkins, Richard C.  Search this

Jenkins, Robert C.  Search this

Judd, Neil Merton, 1887-1976  Search this

Knez, Eugene I. (Eugene Irving), 1916-2010  Search this

Krieger, Herbert W. (Herbert William), 1889-1970  Search this

Lewis, G. Robert  Search this

Mason, Otis Tufton, 1838-1908  Search this

Maynard, G. C.  Search this

McBryde, George  Search this

McCoy, George D.  Search this

Meggers, Betty Jane  Search this

Metcalf, George, 1900-1975  Search this

Newman, Marshall T. (Marshall Thornton), 1911-1994  Search this

Paine, Richard G.  Search this

Pelham, Willie Mae  Search this

Powell, John Wesley, 1834-1902  Search this

Riesenberg, Saul H.  Search this

Semple, Caroline I.  Search this

Setzler, Frank M. (Frank Maryl), 1902-1975  Search this

Stewart, T. D. (Thomas Dale), 1901-1997  Search this

Sweeney, Thomas W.  Search this

Upham, E. P. (Edwin Porter), 1845-1918  Search this

Van Beek, Gus W. (Gus Willard), 1922-  Search this

Watkins, C. Malcolm  Search this

Wedel, Waldo R. (Waldo Rudolph), 1908-1996  Search this

Whitmore, Jeraldine M.  Search this

Names:

Hough, Walter, 1859-1935  Search this

Extent:

1 Copy negative

9 Copy prints

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Copy negatives

Copy prints

Date:

1898-1962

Scope and Contents note:

The collection consists of copy prints depicting Smithsonian anthropologists, including group portraits of the staff of the United States National Museum Department of Anthropology and mounted individual portraits of department heads in 1904, 1931, 1952, 1959, and 1962. The photographs were possibly made as part of a 1969 event, "The Anthropology of Anthropology, or Everything You Wanted to Know About the Anthropology Department but Didn't Know What to Ask." The announcement for this event is available with the collection.

Local Call Number(s):

NAA Photo Lot 39

Reproduction Note:

Copy prints made by the Smithsonian Institution, 1969.

Location of Other Archival Materials:

Original negatives for some images are held in the National Anthropological Archives in the BAE historical negatives.

The National Anthropological Archives also holds the Records of the Department of Anthropology.

Additional photographs of Department of Anthropology staff can be found in the National Anthropological Archives in Photo Lot 24, Photo Lot 33, Photo Lot 70, Photo Lot 136, Photo Lot 76-127, Photo Lot 77-52, Photo Lot 77-80, Photo Lot 79-51, Photo Lot 80-17, Photo Lot 83-15, and the BAE historical negatives.

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Access to the collection requires an appointment.

Rights:

Contact the repository for terms of use.

Citation:

Photo lot 39, Copies of portraits of Smithsonian anthropologists, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Identifier:

NAA.PhotoLot.39

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw373e4559c-12c9-48cc-9608-1153016f6749

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-naa-photolot-39

Creator:

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Addressee:

Wilmsen, Edwin N.  Search this

Names:

Hrdlička, Aleš, 1869-1943  Search this

Extent:

2 Pages

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Pages

Date:

1971

Scope and Contents:

Letter concerns errors made in publications regarding Aleš Hrdlička's affiliation with the Bureau of American Ethnology.

Local Numbers:

NAA MS 7225

Topic:

Anthropology -- History  Search this

Citation:

Manuscript 7225, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Identifier:

NAA.MS7225

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw3b6cedd37-1cbb-4d05-9faf-af0785dd1213

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-naa-ms7225

Creator:

Woodward, Douglas R.  Search this

Phebus, George E.  Search this

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Extent:

3.5 Linear feet (1 box and 1 folder)

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Photographs

Catalogs

Reports

Manuscripts

Date:

undated

Scope and Contents:

Includes manuscript, "The Piscataway site: a stratified Woodland site in Tidewater Maryland." Also includes seventeen color slides, progress reports, field catalog, distribution charts, maps, plans of excavations, illustrations, C14 reports, and correspondence. Comments on the manuscript are by Clifford Evans. Some of the C14 reports concern the Kern, Shepard, and Shannon sites in Prince Georges County.

Local Numbers:

NAA MS 7354

Topic:

Woodland site  Search this

Piscataway site (Prince Georges County, Maryland) -- Archeology  Search this

Shannon site (Prince Georges County, Maryland) -- Archeology  Search this

Shepard site (Prince Georges County, Maryland) -- Archeology  Search this

Kern site (Prince Georges County, Maryland) -- Archeology  Search this

Genre/Form:

Photographs

Catalogs

Reports

Manuscripts

Citation:

Manuscript 7354, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Identifier:

NAA.MS7354

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw3c2ec928e-eb0e-41da-b5ad-96cf2c66558d

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-naa-ms7354

Creator:

Meggers, Betty Jane  Search this

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Extent:

129 Linear feet

Culture:

American Indian -- South America  Search this

Type:

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Field notes

Place:

Venezuela -- archeology

Peru -- Archeology

Date:

1893-2012

Summary:

The Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers document their research and professional activities from 1946-2012 and primarily deal with their archaeological and anthropological research in South America. Their work at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History and their frequent collaboration with other researchers and professional organizations is also represented. In addition, this collection contains detailed records on South American research conducted by the Smithsonian Institution from the 1950s through the 2010s. The collection consists of research and project files, raw data and analysis, graphs and illustrations, photographs, correspondence, maps and charts, and administrative files.

Scope and Contents:

The Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans papers document their research and professional activities from 1946-2012 and primarily deal with their archaeological and anthropological research in South America. There is also significant material detailing research conducted in South America by the National Museum of Natural History (particularly the Department of Anthropology). Material documenting their publication and collaboration efforts with researchers and other colleagues is represented as well. There is also limited material related to Meggers and Evans time in graduate school at Columbia University and their brief careers before starting at the Smithsonian Institution in the early 1950s. The collection consists of research and project files, raw data and analysis, graphs and illustrations, photographs, correspondence, maps and charts, and administrative files.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged in 12 series: Series 1. Personal, 1893-2012, undated; Series 2. Writings, 1944-2011, undated; Series 3. Research, 1930-2011, undated; Series 4. Correspondence, 1922-2012; Series 5. Conferences and Seminars, 1949-2010, undated; Series 6. Museum and Institute Subject Files, 1973-2011, undated; Series 7. Smithsonian Institution Amazon Ecosystem Program, 1962-2008, undated. Series 8. National Program of Archeological Research in Brazil, 1961-1989, undated; Series 9. Paleoindian Research: Paleoclimatology and Paleofauna Programs, 1960-1992, undated; Series 10. Latin American Archaeology Fund, 1971-1991, undated; Series 11. Photographs, 1937-2008, undated; Series 12. Maps and Charts, 1957- circa 2009, undated.

Biographical / Historical:

Clifford Evans Chronology

1920 -- Born in Dallas, Texas.

1941 -- Bachelors degree in anthropology from the University of Southern California.

1946 -- Married Betty Meggers.

1948-1949 -- Field research: Lower Amazon archaelogical expedition to Marajo, Mexiana, Caviana, and Territory of Ampa, Brazil. With Betty Meggers.

1950 -- Ph.D., Columbia University.

1950-1951 -- Instructor, Anthropology, University of Virginia.

1951-1962 -- Associate Curator, Smithsonian Department of Anthropology.

1952-1953 -- Field research: Archaelogical and ethnographic investigations in British Guiana. With Betty Meggers.

1954 -- Field research: Archaelogical survey and excavations on coastal Ecuador. With Betty Meggers and Emilio Estrada.

1956 -- Field research: Archaelogical survey and excavations along the Rio Napo, Eastern Ecuador. With Betty Meggers.

1957 -- Field research: Archaelogical survey and excavations on coastal Ecuador. With Betty Meggers and Emilio Estrada.

1958 -- Field research: Archaelogical survey and excavations on coastal Ecuador. With Betty Meggers and Emilio Estrada.

1961 -- Field research: Archaelogical survey and excavations on coastal Ecuador. With Betty Meggers and Emilio Estrada.

1962-1964 -- Curator of the Division of Archaeology.

1963 -- Field research: Archeological investigations of megalithic structures on Nan Madol, Ponape, Caroline Islands. With Betty Meggers.

1964-1970, 1975-1981 -- Supervising Curator of the Department of Anthropological Research.

1965-1970 -- Co-principal investigator with Betty Meggers of PRONAPA.

1966 -- Field research: Archeological survey on Dominica. With Clifford Evans.

1968-1975 -- Co-principal investigator with Betty Meggers of the Proyecto Andino de Estudios Arqueologicos.

1970-1975 -- Chairman of the Department of Anthropology.

1971 -- Creates the Latin American Archaeology Fund with Betty Meggers.

1972 -- Creates the Paleo-Indian, Paleoecology, and Paleoenvironmental Research Program.

1974 -- Creates the Amazon Ecosystems Research Program.

1975-1980 -- Co-principal investigator with Betty Meggers of PRONAPABA.

1976 -- Field research: Paleoindian and Archaic sites and museum collections in Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. With Betty Meggers and Dennis Stanford.

1981 -- Dies in Washington, D.C.

Betty Meggers Chronology

1921 -- Born December 5 in Washington, D.C.

1943 -- A.B. in anthropology, University of Pennsylvania

1944 -- M.A., University of Michigan

1948-1949 -- Field research: Lower Amazon archaelogical expedition to Marajo, Mexiana, Caviana, and Territory of Ampa, Brazil. With Clifford Evans.

1950-1951 -- Instructor, Anthropology, American University

1952 -- Ph.D., Columbia University

1952-1953 -- Field research: Archaelogical and ethnographic investigations in British Guiana. With Clifford Evans.

1954 -- Field research: Archaelogical survey and excavations on coastal Ecuador. With Clifford Evans and Emilio Estrada.

1954-2012 -- Research Associate, Department of Anthropology, national Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution

1956 -- Field research: Archaelogical survey and excavations along the Rio Napo, Eastern Ecuador. With Clifford Evans.

1957 -- Field research: Archaelogical survey and excavations on coastal Ecuador. With Clifford Evans and Emilio Estrada.

1958 -- Field research: Archaelogical survey and excavations on coastal Ecuador. With Clifford Evans and Emilio Estrada.

1961 -- Field research: Archaelogical survey and excavations on coastal Ecuador. With Clifford Evans and Emilio Estrada.

1963 -- Field research: Archeological investigations of megalithic structures on Nan Madol, Ponape, Caroline Islands. With Clifford Evans.

1965-1970 -- Co-principal investigator with Clifford Evans of PRONAPA.

1966 -- Field research: Archeological survey on Dominica. With Clifford Evans.

1968-1975 -- Co-principal investigator with Clifford Evans of the Proyecto Andino de Estudios Arqueologicos.

1975-1980 -- Co-principal investigator with Clifford Evans of PRONAPABA.

1976 -- Field research: Paleoindian and Archaic sites and museum collections in Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. With Clifford Evans and Dennis Stanford.

1976-1996 -- Committee for Research and Exploration, National Geographic Society

1982-1985 -- Consultant, Museu Paraense Emilio Goeldi, Belem, Brazil

2012 -- Dies in Washington, D.C.

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans were anthropologists specializing in the archeology of lowland South America. Their combined careers at the Smithsonian Department of Anthropology totaled over 100 years. Evans was born in 1920 in Texas. He received his bachelor's degree in anthropology and archaeology from the University of Southern California in 1941. Following his service as a bombardier during World War II, he enrolled in the anthropology doctoral program at Columbia University where he met Meggers, a fellow student in the department. Meggers was born in 1921 in Washington, D.C., and was the daughter of well-known archaeologist William Frederick Meggers. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelors degree in anthropology in 1943 and from the University of Michigan with a masters in anthropology in 1944 before being admitted to Columbia.

Meggers and Evans did their dissertation research together in South America— Meggers worked on the island of Marajo at the mouth of the Amazon River while Evans did archaeological research in the Amapa territory of Brazil. The two were married on September 13, 1946.

After Evans received his Ph.D. in 1950, he was hired by the Smithsonian Institution as an associate curator in the Department of Anthropology in 1951. After graduating in 1952, Meggers worked as an anthropology instructor at American University for one year before being hired as a research associate in the Smithsonian Department of Anthropology in 1954.

Evans was named Curator of the Division of Archaeology in 1962, and Supervising Curator of the newly created Office of Anthropological Research in 1964. Under his leadership, standardized operating procedures were created that centralized accessioning, cataloging, storing, and lending of objects. This freed curators from many complicated and routine activities. In 1970, Evans was appointed the Chairman of Anthropology for a five year term, where he initiated many large-scale research programs with Meggers that continued to operate many years after his chairmanship ended.

The first program that Evans and Meggers created was the "Paleo-Indian, Paleoecology, and Paleoenvironmental Research Program" in 1972, which was designed to study prehistoric peoples in the Western Hemisphere. The second program, implemented in 1974 was the "Amazon Ecosystems Research Program," which organized Brazilian scientists and Smithsonian staff members interested in environmental studies of the Amazon region.

Meggers and Evans conducted much of their field work together, which resulted in hundreds of articles, essays, presentations, and books. The majority of their work was done in the Amazon and Andean regions of South America, particularly Brazil, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Ecuador. Aside from these publications, they were also able to collect many archaeological specimens that are still part of the Smithsonian's holdings.

The conclusions that Meggers and Evans drew from their research and field work, while ground-breaking, were often controversial. In the early 1960s local businessman and amateur archaeologist Emilio Estrada excavated pottery from the Valdivia area in Ecuador and shared his results with Meggers and Evans. After finding significant similarities between Valdivian artifacts and those from Japan's ancient Jomon culture, they theorized that there was transpacific contact between Japan and South America around the beginning of the third millennium B.C. Their theory remains controversial.

Meggers and Evans also argued that despite the rich forests of the Amazon region, the river basin's thin, poor soil could not hold enough nutrients to sustain intensive agriculture. As a result, they argued, large and complex societies could not have existed in the Amazon River basin as other archaeologists and anthropologists have suggested.

After finishing his tenure as chairman of the Department of Anthropology, Clifford Evans died in 1981 of a heart attack at the age of 60. Following his death, Meggers continued in her position as research associate in the Department of Anthropology for another 30 years. Though she did not conduct additional fieldwork after her husband's death, Meggers wrote prolifically and was heavily involved in analyzing field work data and collaborating with colleagues working throughout South America. She made it possible for many researchers to study and conduct research at the National Museum of Natural History, and presented in many conferences and seminars locally and internationally. In addition, Meggers advocated on the behalf of colleagues to the National Geographic Society and other organizations to procure funding for archaeological and anthropological expeditions all over the world. Betty Meggers died in 2012 at the age of 90.

Related Materials:

There are about 25 slide cases, each containing about 200 to 300 kodachrome slides, that are currently stored at the Department of Anthropology at the National Museum of Natural History. These were created in the late 1940s and early 1950s and contain images of field work and other trips to South American locations such as Peru, British Guiana, the Peru Highlands, Ecuador, Brazil, Chile, Hondouras, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Mexico. Contact repository for more information.

Separated Materials:

2 rolls of 16mm film, 22 audio cassettes, and 1 VHS of South and Central American research were transferred to the Human Studies Film Archives in 2015.

Provenance:

The papers were donated to the National Anthropological Archives by the estate of Betty J. Meggers in 2013.

Restrictions:

The Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans papers are open for research. Personal correspondence, however, is RESTRICTED until 2026.

Rights:

Contact the repository for terms of use.

Topic:

Paleoindian  Search this

Archaeology  Search this

Archeology -- Meso-America  Search this

Archaeology -- Ponape, Nan Matol  Search this

Archeology -- British Guiana  Search this

Archaeology -- Ecuador  Search this

Amazonia  Search this

Indians of South America -- Brazil  Search this

Paleo-Indians -- North America  Search this

Names, place -- geographic -- South America  Search this

Genre/Form:

Field notes

Citation:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Sponsor:

Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund.

Identifier:

NAA.2013-01

See more items in:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw3298c6712-8b6b-466a-ab1c-97af0d2004ec

EDAN-URL:

ead_collection:sova-naa-2013-01

Collection Creator:

Meggers, Betty Jane  Search this

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Container:

Box 8

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1973

1959-1961

Collection Restrictions:

The Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans papers are open for research. Personal correspondence, however, is RESTRICTED until 2026.

Collection Rights:

Contact the repository for terms of use.

Collection Citation:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Sponsor:

Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund.

See more items in:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers / Series 2: Writings / 2.1: Books, Articles, and Conference Papers

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw38b152cda-7249-400a-9ad2-29a27c932f35

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-naa-2013-01-ref10

Collection Creator:

Meggers, Betty Jane  Search this

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Container:

Box 77

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1989

1987

Collection Restrictions:

The Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans papers are open for research. Personal correspondence, however, is RESTRICTED until 2026.

Collection Rights:

Contact the repository for terms of use.

Collection Citation:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Sponsor:

Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund.

See more items in:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers / Series 5: Conferences and Seminars

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw347a4c745-53c4-46d7-a8be-fc80f07f91cf

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-naa-2013-01-ref1000

Collection Creator:

Meggers, Betty Jane  Search this

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Extent:

2 Folders

Container:

Box 25-26

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1987

Scope and Contents:

Includes photgraph prints and negatives.

Collection Restrictions:

The Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans papers are open for research. Personal correspondence, however, is RESTRICTED until 2026.

Collection Rights:

Contact the repository for terms of use.

Collection Citation:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Sponsor:

Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund.

See more items in:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers / Series 3: Research / 3.1: Fieldwork

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw300c1dda8-0d92-4491-8c1d-eedff18f46fe

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-naa-2013-01-ref1001

Collection Creator:

Meggers, Betty Jane  Search this

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Container:

Box 77

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1987-1988

Collection Restrictions:

The Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans papers are open for research. Personal correspondence, however, is RESTRICTED until 2026.

Collection Rights:

Contact the repository for terms of use.

Collection Citation:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Sponsor:

Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund.

See more items in:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers / Series 5: Conferences and Seminars

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw3b07f390d-732c-451b-b37f-dde49e3a3cb6

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-naa-2013-01-ref1003

Collection Creator:

Meggers, Betty Jane  Search this

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Container:

Box 77

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1989

Collection Restrictions:

The Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans papers are open for research. Personal correspondence, however, is RESTRICTED until 2026.

Collection Rights:

Contact the repository for terms of use.

Collection Citation:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Sponsor:

Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund.

See more items in:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers / Series 5: Conferences and Seminars

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw35dd9f476-51dc-4faa-9171-1c7919b2968e

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-naa-2013-01-ref1004

Collection Creator:

Meggers, Betty Jane  Search this

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Container:

Box 77

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1989

Collection Restrictions:

The Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans papers are open for research. Personal correspondence, however, is RESTRICTED until 2026.

Collection Rights:

Contact the repository for terms of use.

Collection Citation:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Sponsor:

Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund.

See more items in:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers / Series 5: Conferences and Seminars

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw3e62698f9-f274-4ae2-b395-2dd6c69a3c1e

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-naa-2013-01-ref1005

Collection Creator:

Meggers, Betty Jane  Search this

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Extent:

2 Folders

Container:

Box 26

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1989

Collection Restrictions:

The Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans papers are open for research. Personal correspondence, however, is RESTRICTED until 2026.

Collection Rights:

Contact the repository for terms of use.

Collection Citation:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Sponsor:

Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund.

See more items in:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers / Series 3: Research / 3.1: Fieldwork

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw3f06056d3-a58f-4d1f-a66a-92b8f1007e6c

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-naa-2013-01-ref1006

Collection Creator:

Meggers, Betty Jane  Search this

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Extent:

2 Folders

Container:

Box 77

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1989-1994

Collection Restrictions:

The Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans papers are open for research. Personal correspondence, however, is RESTRICTED until 2026.

Collection Rights:

Contact the repository for terms of use.

Collection Citation:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Sponsor:

Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund.

See more items in:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers / Series 5: Conferences and Seminars

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw3efbd25b1-d380-4484-9ed5-b36fa132fc3a

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-naa-2013-01-ref1007

Collection Creator:

Meggers, Betty Jane  Search this

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Container:

Box 77

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1993

Collection Restrictions:

The Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans papers are open for research. Personal correspondence, however, is RESTRICTED until 2026.

Collection Rights:

Contact the repository for terms of use.

Collection Citation:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Sponsor:

Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund.

See more items in:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers / Series 5: Conferences and Seminars

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw37372e8fb-c97c-4709-9352-3b8dc88a7f23

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-naa-2013-01-ref1008

Collection Creator:

Meggers, Betty Jane  Search this

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Container:

Box 26

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1990

Collection Restrictions:

The Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans papers are open for research. Personal correspondence, however, is RESTRICTED until 2026.

Collection Rights:

Contact the repository for terms of use.

Collection Citation:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Sponsor:

Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund.

See more items in:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers / Series 3: Research / 3.1: Fieldwork

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw3b9c9ccd9-5e67-4f51-995b-dcdb7ce89f24

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-naa-2013-01-ref1009

Collection Creator:

Meggers, Betty Jane  Search this

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Container:

Box 13

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

2006

Separated Materials:

1 computer CD has been moved to the electronic records series.

Collection Restrictions:

The Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans papers are open for research. Personal correspondence, however, is RESTRICTED until 2026.

Collection Rights:

Contact the repository for terms of use.

Collection Citation:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Sponsor:

Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund.

See more items in:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers / Series 2: Writings / 2.1: Books, Articles, and Conference Papers

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw303e2516f-8f36-4c3b-8380-613e5516e7fc

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-naa-2013-01-ref101

Collection Creator:

Meggers, Betty Jane  Search this

Evans, Clifford, 1920-1981  Search this

Container:

Box 77

Type:

Archival materials

Date:

1989-1991

Collection Restrictions:

The Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans papers are open for research. Personal correspondence, however, is RESTRICTED until 2026.

Collection Rights:

Contact the repository for terms of use.

Collection Citation:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution

Sponsor:

Funding for the processing of this collection was provided by the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund.

See more items in:

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers

Betty J. Meggers and Clifford Evans Papers / Series 5: Conferences and Seminars

Archival Repository:

National Anthropological Archives

GUID:

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw3475481b8-0167-4fb4-bcc4-128fa084a38c

EDAN-URL:

ead_component:sova-naa-2013-01-ref1010