Henry Elias Van Deman

Biography

Henry Elias Van Deman was a distinguished archaeologist whose careful study of tree rings brought new precision to the chronology of the American Southwest and other ancient cultures. His pioneering work in dendrochronology helped scholars date archeological sites with greater accuracy and reoriented the discipline toward scientific analysis of organic remains.

Van Deman remained devoted to scholarship and to sharing his findings with students and fellow researchers, earning respect for both his diligence and his generosity in mentoring younger investigators. He rests today at Arlington National Cemetery among the nation’s honored custodians of knowledge.