Award Description

The Fryxell Award is presented in recognition for interdisciplinary excellence of a scientist who need not be an archaeologist, but whose research has contributed significantly to American archaeology. The award is made possible through the generosity of the family of the late Roald Fryxell, a geologist whose career exemplified the crucial role of multidisciplinary cooperation in archaeology. The award cycles through zoological sciences, botanical sciences, earth sciences, physical sciences, and general interdisciplinary studies. The Fryxell Award for 2027 will be presented in the PLANT SCIENCES category. The Chair for this award is Amber VanDerwarker.

Who Is Eligible to Submit Nominations or Apply for the Award

Anyone may submit a nomination. The committee does not accept self-nominations. Awardees may be members or nonmembers of the SAA. 

Nomination/Submission Materials Required

Nominators must submit a letter that describes the nature, scope, and significance of the nominee’s contributions to American archaeology, as well as the nominee’s curriculum vita. Support letters from other scholars are helpful. Four to six are suggested. Please send submissions to the committee chair.

Other Special Requirements

Prior to any award recommendation being finalized and publicly announced, anyone recommended for an award, scholarship, or grant will be required to certify the following:

Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium)

A half-day symposium is held in honor of the awardee at the SAA Annual Meeting. In addition, the awardee is recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented during the business meeting held at the Annual Meeting, the Fryxell medal, a citation in The SAA Archaeological Record, and acknowledgment on the awards page of the SAA Website. 

Current Committee Charge

The committee solicits nominations and selects recipients for the Fryxell Award for Interdisciplinary Research. The award is presented in special recognition of interdisciplinary excellence by a scientist (not necessarily an archaeologist) whose research has contributed significantly to American archaeology. The award rotates among five categories: general interdisciplinary, physical sciences, zoology, plant sciences, and earth sciences. 

Committee Composition

Committee composition is one chair and four members. Each member's term lasts 5 years, during the last of which the member serves as chair. The terms are staggered so that only one member (the chair) rotates off each year. Committee chair rotates among topical foci. Committee membership is by appointment rather than by volunteers. All members require Board approval because everyone may become chair at some point in time. 

Term Length

Five years following the award cycle.

Award Cycle

The award cycles through five categories (plant sciences [2027], earth sciences [2028], physical sciences [2029], general interdisciplinary [2030], zoology [2031] … and begins again). 

Committee Chair and End of Term

Amber M. VanDerwarker [2026]

Committee Chair Contact Information

Committee Members and Ends of Terms

Names and term end dates for the chair and all members can be found on the committee page in the SAA Directory. 

Selection or Evaluation Criteria

Nominees are evaluated on the breadth and depth of their research and its impact on American archaeology, the nominee’s role in increasing awareness of interdisciplinary studies in archaeology, and the nominee’s public and professional service to the community. 

Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue)

The committee meets electronically after the nomination deadline has passed.