Jay Custer

Jay Custer is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology within the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Delaware, where he also serves as director of the UD Center for Archaeological Research. His academic career spans several decades with extensive field experience across the Mid-Atlantic region.

Custer earned his Ph.D. and M.A. from the Catholic University of America and completed his undergraduate studies at Franklin and Marshall College. His educational background provided the foundation for his specialized work in Native American archaeology of Eastern North America.

Professor Custer's research focuses on Native American archaeology of Eastern North America, with particular emphasis on the Mid-Atlantic region and Delmarva Peninsula, investigating the technology, arts, and crafts of Native North American societies. His work includes developing archaeological and ethnohistorical research programs in association with the Delaware Indian Tribe of Oklahoma and the Nanticoke Indian Tribe of Delaware. He has conducted research at more than 150 prehistoric and historic archaeological sites while conducting surveys of over 1,500 sites across Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and New Jersey. His teaching portfolio includes courses on modern Native American cultural issues, representations of North American and Mesoamerican Indians in popular culture, and modern American Anabaptist cultures.

Analysis of Custer's publication record reveals a strong focus on practical archaeological methods and regional studies, particularly in Delaware and surrounding states. His work demonstrates consistent engagement with both prehistoric and historical archaeology, with particular attention to lithic analysis, settlement patterns, and cultural resource management. The publications span several decades, showing sustained scholarly productivity with emphasis on field methodology, artifact analysis, and regional cultural sequences.

Custer's academic work has been primarily directed through cultural resource management projects, contributing significantly to the archaeological understanding of the Mid-Atlantic region. His fieldwork has involved extensive collaboration with state agencies and tribal nations, demonstrating commitment to community-engaged archaeology. As director of the UD Center for Archaeological Research, he oversees numerous archaeological projects and contributes to the training of future archaeologists through field experiences.

Professor Custer maintains an active research program focused on the archaeology of the Eastern Woodlands, with particular attention to Delaware and the surrounding region. His work bridges academic research and practical cultural resource management, contributing to both scholarly understanding and preservation of archaeological resources in the Mid-Atlantic states.