Peter Siegel

Peter E. Siegel is a Professor of Anthropology at Montclair State University's College of Humanities and Social Sciences. His research focuses on New World archaeology, particularly pre-European cultures in eastern North America, the Caribbean, and lowland South America. He specializes in complex society evolution, social inequality, ritual space use, and lithic analysis. Siegel has conducted extensive fieldwork in Peru, Guyana, and across the Caribbean, directing projects such as the White Marl Site in Jamaica and studies on Saladoid archaeology.

Education: BA from University of Delaware; MA and PhD from SUNY Binghamton.

Research emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, including ethnoarchaeology, heritage management, and historical ecology. Notable projects include investigations into pottery production networks in Jamaica, resilience in ancient societies, and plant resource use in Puerto Rico. He advocates for cultural resource preservation in the Caribbean amid modern challenges like climate change and tourism.

Publications span over three decades, addressing topics from Caribbean colonization to methodological innovations in lithic analysis. His work bridges archaeological theory with practical applications in heritage curation and policy.