Department of Anthropology

Penn State University

William T. Sanders

Evan Pugh Professor Emeritus of Archaeological Anthropology

Faculty Image Office: 316 Carpenter Building
Telephone: 865-1142
Email: n/a
 

William T. Sanders Thesis

Tierra Y Agua (Soil and Water) A Study of the Ecological Factors in the Development of Meso-American Civilization

EDUCATION:

  • Ph.D. Harvard University 1947 

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES AND INTERESTS:

Dr. Sanders' research focuses on Mesoamerica, especially the Valley of Mexico and the Maya of Copan, Honduras. His interest include ancient settlement patterns, cultural ecology, and cultural evolution, with special emphasis on the origin of complex societies. He has recently directed surveys and excavations of Mayan sites in the Copan Valley, Honduras.

PUBLICATIONS:

  • Sander, W.T., J.R. Parsons, and R.S. Santley. 1979. The Basin of Mexico: Ecological Processes in the Evolution of a Civilization. Academic Press, New York.
  • Sanders, W.T. 1992. Ecology and cultural syncretism in 16th century Mesoamerica. American Antiquity, 66:172-90.