George Leader

George Leader is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on cultural transmission in hominid behavior through archaeological material, particularly stone tool technologies in South Africa and colonial material culture in the mid-Atlantic region. He leads excavations at sites along the Vaal River basin and the Namib desert, investigating early hominin adaptations to arid environments, while also directing colonial-era projects like the First Baptist Church Philadelphia burial ground and the William Green Plantation Revolutionary War site.

Education includes a Ph.D. and MSc from the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa) and a BA from Gettysburg College (USA). His work has been featured in Science section of The New York Times, Archaeology Magazine, and Smithsonian Magazine, with media appearances on Discovery Channel and NPR.

Research themes include Earlier Stone Age technologies (c. 1.7–1.2 Ma), cognitive evolution via Victoria West prepared cores, and analysis of 18th/19th century burial artifacts revealing multicultural influences in early American communities. His excavations at Ewing NJ's William Green House uncovered Revolutionary War billet evidence and indentured servant artifacts.

Current projects include Namib desert hominin occupation studies and interdisciplinary analysis of colonial material assemblages. He serves as PI on multiple archaeological initiatives blending fieldwork with experimental methods.