Royal A. Prentice: Pioneer Archaeologist in Eastern New Mexico

Richard I. Ford
Emeritus Professor of Anthropology & Botany, University of Michigan

Alison Colborne
Librarian, Laboratory of Anthropology, MIAC

Gary Hein
Volunteer, Office of Archaeological Studies

Richard Ford, Allison Colborne, and Gary Hein have undertaken a study of Royal A. Prentice,  an early  volunteer who contributed valuable archaeological information to the Museum of New Mexico in the first three decades of the 20th century.  Although he published several useful research papers during those years in El Palacio, the quarterly magazine of the Museum of New Mexico, Prentice remains generally unknown today. The presentation will provide an overview of his life focusing on his archaeological research, stressing that the value of this work has earned him a well-deserved place in the history of New Mexico archaeology.  

Our three speakers are presently associated with the Museum of New Mexico as staff or as research associates. Their aim is to publish their work in El Palacio. Knowing how much the museums and other cultural institutions in Santa Fe depend upon volunteers, their goal is to highlight the accomplishments of one such volunteer, Royal A. Prentice, and the importance of volunteers throughout the community.

Photo: Photographer and former Rough Rider, Royal A. Prentice, 1950
Neg. 006017. Palace of the Governors Photo Archives, New Mexico History Museum

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