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Alfred V. Kidder

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description Alfred V. Kidder Overview

Alfred V. Kidder was an American archaeologist whose fieldwork helped establish systematic methods for studying the ancient cultures of the southwestern United States. Beginning in 1915, his excavations at Pecos Pueblo in New Mexico used stratigraphy and artifact classification to construct a regional cultural sequence. He also worked in Mesoamerica and influenced archaeological practice through careful excavation, ceramic analysis, and the integration of regional evidence.

help Alfred V. Kidder FAQ

What was Alfred V. Kidder's most famous archaeological excavation?

Kidder is best known for his extensive stratigraphic excavations at Pecos Pueblo in New Mexico, which he began in 1915. This work was foundational in establishing the cultural chronology of the Ancestral Pueblo peoples of the American Southwest.

How did Alfred V. Kidder change American archaeology?

He shifted the discipline away from mere artifact collecting toward a rigorous, scientific methodology based on stratigraphy. By carefully documenting the layers of earth at Pecos Pueblo, he introduced modern chronological excavation techniques to North America.

What institution sponsored Alfred V. Kidder's work at Pecos Pueblo?

His work at Pecos was sponsored by the R. S. Peabody Museum of Archaeology through Phillips Academy in Andover. This long-term funding allowed him to conduct one of the most systematic vertical excavations of the era.

Did Alfred V. Kidder write any influential books on Southwest archaeology?

Yes, in 1924 he published 'An Introduction to the Study of Southwestern Archaeology,' which served as the field's definitive guide. The book detailed his findings at Pecos and established the baseline classification system for Southwestern cultural history.