About the SAA Awards
The Society for American Archaeology Awards recognize and honor knowledge and professional achievements at all career levels--from student and early career archaeologists to those who have made lasting contributions to the Society and the profession. The Call for Nominations opens in the fall of each year.
The 2025 Call for Award Nominations is open.
Deadlines and nomination information vary by award
The Deborah L. Nichols Meeting Access Grants is open for applications.
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:
(a) I am not and have not ever been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit or related administrative complaint that resulted in an adverse finding; and(b) I do not have and have not had a current or pending disciplinary action such as suspension or termination of registration, resulting from a Register of Professional Archaeologists’ grievance investigation.
Professional Awards
Crabtree Award
Nomination/Submission Deadline: 06 Jan 2025
Award Description
The SAA presents the Crabtree Award annually to an outstanding avocational archaeologist in remembrance of the singular contributions of Don Crabtree. A highly skilled self-taught flint knapper, he brought experimental archaeology and lithic technology to prominence among archaeologists. Nominees should have made significant contributions to advance understandings of local, regional, or national archaeology through excavation, research, publication, site or collections preservation, collaboration with the professional community, and/or public outreach.
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 should submit a current curriculum vita and/or succinct summary of relevant accomplishments, a letter of nomination, and letters of support.
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:
(a) I am not and have not ever been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit or related administrative complaint that resulted in an adverse finding; and(b) I do not have and have not had a current or pending disciplinary action such as suspension or termination of registration, resulting from a Register of Professional Archaeologists’ grievance investigation.
Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium)
The awardee is recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented during the business meeting held at the Annual Meeting, 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 Crabtree Award. The award, given in remembrance of Don Crabtree, is annually presented to an outstanding avocational archaeologist.
Committee Composition
Committee composition is one chair and at least four members.
Term Length
Term length is three years. Individuals ending their terms cycle off the committee at the close of the Business Meeting held during the annual SAA Meeting, and new appointees begin their terms at this time.
Award Cycle
Not applicable.
Committee Chair and End of Term
Daron Duke [2027]
Committee Chair Contact Information
Committee Members and Ends of Terms
Selection or Evaluation Criteria
The Crabtree Award Committee evaluates nominations based on the evidence for significant contributions to advance understandings of local, regional, or national archaeology through excavation, research, publication, site or collections preservation, collaboration with the professional community, and/or public outreach.
Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue)
The committee reads and evaluates all nominations after the submission date. The committee chair takes an email vote before the end of January, and an awardee is selected through a simple majority vote. The chair then prepares the award texts for the SAA Awards Committee.
2024 Gerald Franklin
2023 Darlene L. Brinkerhoff
2022 Kenneth Burkett
2021 Lonnie Ludeman
2020 Marilyn Markel
2019 Peter Boyle and Janine Hernbode
2018 James Warnica
2017 Daniel Wendt
2016 Steven Freers
2015 Tom Middlebrook
2014 Francis H. "Frankie" Snow
2013 Edward and Diane Stasack
2012 John T. Dowd
2011 George Poetschat
2010 Larry Kinsella
2009 Leslie Paul Tanner
2007 Jay C. Blaine
2006 Karl Herbert Mayer
2005 Eugene C. Winter Jr.
2004 Robert Patten
2003 Dr. Guillermo Mata Amado
2002 Richard A. Bice
2001 John D. "Jack" Holland
2000 Richard P. Mason
1999 Gene L. Titmus
1998 Reca Jones
1997 Sidney Merrick Wheeler (posthumous) and Georgia Nancy Wheeler Felts
1996 James H. Word
1995 Jeff Carskadden
1994 Leland W. Patterson
1993 Mary Elizabeth Good
1992 Stuart W. Conner
1991 James Pendergast
1990 Ben C. McCary1
989 J. B. Sollberger
1988 Julian Dodge Hayden
1987 Leonard W. Blake
1985 Clarence H. Webb, MD
Travel Awards
Crabtree Award
Nomination/Submission Deadline: 06 Jan 2025
Award Description
The SAA presents the Crabtree Award annually to an outstanding avocational archaeologist in remembrance of the singular contributions of Don Crabtree. A highly skilled self-taught flint knapper, he brought experimental archaeology and lithic technology to prominence among archaeologists. Nominees should have made significant contributions to advance understandings of local, regional, or national archaeology through excavation, research, publication, site or collections preservation, collaboration with the professional community, and/or public outreach.
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 should submit a current curriculum vita and/or succinct summary of relevant accomplishments, a letter of nomination, and letters of support.
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:
(a) I am not and have not ever been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit or related administrative complaint that resulted in an adverse finding; and(b) I do not have and have not had a current or pending disciplinary action such as suspension or termination of registration, resulting from a Register of Professional Archaeologists’ grievance investigation.
Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium)
The awardee is recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented during the business meeting held at the Annual Meeting, 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 Crabtree Award. The award, given in remembrance of Don Crabtree, is annually presented to an outstanding avocational archaeologist.
Committee Composition
Committee composition is one chair and at least four members.
Term Length
Term length is three years. Individuals ending their terms cycle off the committee at the close of the Business Meeting held during the annual SAA Meeting, and new appointees begin their terms at this time.
Award Cycle
Not applicable.
Committee Chair and End of Term
Daron Duke [2027]
Committee Chair Contact Information
Committee Members and Ends of Terms
Selection or Evaluation Criteria
The Crabtree Award Committee evaluates nominations based on the evidence for significant contributions to advance understandings of local, regional, or national archaeology through excavation, research, publication, site or collections preservation, collaboration with the professional community, and/or public outreach.
Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue)
The committee reads and evaluates all nominations after the submission date. The committee chair takes an email vote before the end of January, and an awardee is selected through a simple majority vote. The chair then prepares the award texts for the SAA Awards Committee.
2024 Gerald Franklin
2023 Darlene L. Brinkerhoff
2022 Kenneth Burkett
2021 Lonnie Ludeman
2020 Marilyn Markel
2019 Peter Boyle and Janine Hernbode
2018 James Warnica
2017 Daniel Wendt
2016 Steven Freers
2015 Tom Middlebrook
2014 Francis H. "Frankie" Snow
2013 Edward and Diane Stasack
2012 John T. Dowd
2011 George Poetschat
2010 Larry Kinsella
2009 Leslie Paul Tanner
2007 Jay C. Blaine
2006 Karl Herbert Mayer
2005 Eugene C. Winter Jr.
2004 Robert Patten
2003 Dr. Guillermo Mata Amado
2002 Richard A. Bice
2001 John D. "Jack" Holland
2000 Richard P. Mason
1999 Gene L. Titmus
1998 Reca Jones
1997 Sidney Merrick Wheeler (posthumous) and Georgia Nancy Wheeler Felts
1996 James H. Word
1995 Jeff Carskadden
1994 Leland W. Patterson
1993 Mary Elizabeth Good
1992 Stuart W. Conner
1991 James Pendergast
1990 Ben C. McCary1
989 J. B. Sollberger
1988 Julian Dodge Hayden
1987 Leonard W. Blake
1985 Clarence H. Webb, MD
Student Awards
Crabtree Award
Nomination/Submission Deadline: 06 Jan 2025
Award Description
The SAA presents the Crabtree Award annually to an outstanding avocational archaeologist in remembrance of the singular contributions of Don Crabtree. A highly skilled self-taught flint knapper, he brought experimental archaeology and lithic technology to prominence among archaeologists. Nominees should have made significant contributions to advance understandings of local, regional, or national archaeology through excavation, research, publication, site or collections preservation, collaboration with the professional community, and/or public outreach.
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 should submit a current curriculum vita and/or succinct summary of relevant accomplishments, a letter of nomination, and letters of support.
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:
(a) I am not and have not ever been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit or related administrative complaint that resulted in an adverse finding; and(b) I do not have and have not had a current or pending disciplinary action such as suspension or termination of registration, resulting from a Register of Professional Archaeologists’ grievance investigation.
Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium)
The awardee is recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented during the business meeting held at the Annual Meeting, 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 Crabtree Award. The award, given in remembrance of Don Crabtree, is annually presented to an outstanding avocational archaeologist.
Committee Composition
Committee composition is one chair and at least four members.
Term Length
Term length is three years. Individuals ending their terms cycle off the committee at the close of the Business Meeting held during the annual SAA Meeting, and new appointees begin their terms at this time.
Award Cycle
Not applicable.
Committee Chair and End of Term
Daron Duke [2027]
Committee Chair Contact Information
Committee Members and Ends of Terms
Selection or Evaluation Criteria
The Crabtree Award Committee evaluates nominations based on the evidence for significant contributions to advance understandings of local, regional, or national archaeology through excavation, research, publication, site or collections preservation, collaboration with the professional community, and/or public outreach.
Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue)
The committee reads and evaluates all nominations after the submission date. The committee chair takes an email vote before the end of January, and an awardee is selected through a simple majority vote. The chair then prepares the award texts for the SAA Awards Committee.
2024 Gerald Franklin
2023 Darlene L. Brinkerhoff
2022 Kenneth Burkett
2021 Lonnie Ludeman
2020 Marilyn Markel
2019 Peter Boyle and Janine Hernbode
2018 James Warnica
2017 Daniel Wendt
2016 Steven Freers
2015 Tom Middlebrook
2014 Francis H. "Frankie" Snow
2013 Edward and Diane Stasack
2012 John T. Dowd
2011 George Poetschat
2010 Larry Kinsella
2009 Leslie Paul Tanner
2007 Jay C. Blaine
2006 Karl Herbert Mayer
2005 Eugene C. Winter Jr.
2004 Robert Patten
2003 Dr. Guillermo Mata Amado
2002 Richard A. Bice
2001 John D. "Jack" Holland
2000 Richard P. Mason
1999 Gene L. Titmus
1998 Reca Jones
1997 Sidney Merrick Wheeler (posthumous) and Georgia Nancy Wheeler Felts
1996 James H. Word
1995 Jeff Carskadden
1994 Leland W. Patterson
1993 Mary Elizabeth Good
1992 Stuart W. Conner
1991 James Pendergast
1990 Ben C. McCary1
989 J. B. Sollberger
1988 Julian Dodge Hayden
1987 Leonard W. Blake
1985 Clarence H. Webb, MD
Student Fellowship Awards
Crabtree Award
Nomination/Submission Deadline: 06 Jan 2025
Award Description
The SAA presents the Crabtree Award annually to an outstanding avocational archaeologist in remembrance of the singular contributions of Don Crabtree. A highly skilled self-taught flint knapper, he brought experimental archaeology and lithic technology to prominence among archaeologists. Nominees should have made significant contributions to advance understandings of local, regional, or national archaeology through excavation, research, publication, site or collections preservation, collaboration with the professional community, and/or public outreach.
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 should submit a current curriculum vita and/or succinct summary of relevant accomplishments, a letter of nomination, and letters of support.
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:
(a) I am not and have not ever been the subject of a discrimination or harassment lawsuit or related administrative complaint that resulted in an adverse finding; and(b) I do not have and have not had a current or pending disciplinary action such as suspension or termination of registration, resulting from a Register of Professional Archaeologists’ grievance investigation.
Nature of Award (e.g. monetary, medal, symposium)
The awardee is recognized by the SAA through a plaque presented during the business meeting held at the Annual Meeting, 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 Crabtree Award. The award, given in remembrance of Don Crabtree, is annually presented to an outstanding avocational archaeologist.
Committee Composition
Committee composition is one chair and at least four members.
Term Length
Term length is three years. Individuals ending their terms cycle off the committee at the close of the Business Meeting held during the annual SAA Meeting, and new appointees begin their terms at this time.
Award Cycle
Not applicable.
Committee Chair and End of Term
Daron Duke [2027]
Committee Chair Contact Information
Committee Members and Ends of Terms
Selection or Evaluation Criteria
The Crabtree Award Committee evaluates nominations based on the evidence for significant contributions to advance understandings of local, regional, or national archaeology through excavation, research, publication, site or collections preservation, collaboration with the professional community, and/or public outreach.
Committee Deliberation Process (e.g. dates, venue)
The committee reads and evaluates all nominations after the submission date. The committee chair takes an email vote before the end of January, and an awardee is selected through a simple majority vote. The chair then prepares the award texts for the SAA Awards Committee.
2024 Gerald Franklin
2023 Darlene L. Brinkerhoff
2022 Kenneth Burkett
2021 Lonnie Ludeman
2020 Marilyn Markel
2019 Peter Boyle and Janine Hernbode
2018 James Warnica
2017 Daniel Wendt
2016 Steven Freers
2015 Tom Middlebrook
2014 Francis H. "Frankie" Snow
2013 Edward and Diane Stasack
2012 John T. Dowd
2011 George Poetschat
2010 Larry Kinsella
2009 Leslie Paul Tanner
2007 Jay C. Blaine
2006 Karl Herbert Mayer
2005 Eugene C. Winter Jr.
2004 Robert Patten
2003 Dr. Guillermo Mata Amado
2002 Richard A. Bice
2001 John D. "Jack" Holland
2000 Richard P. Mason
1999 Gene L. Titmus
1998 Reca Jones
1997 Sidney Merrick Wheeler (posthumous) and Georgia Nancy Wheeler Felts
1996 James H. Word
1995 Jeff Carskadden
1994 Leland W. Patterson
1993 Mary Elizabeth Good
1992 Stuart W. Conner
1991 James Pendergast
1990 Ben C. McCary1
989 J. B. Sollberger
1988 Julian Dodge Hayden
1987 Leonard W. Blake
1985 Clarence H. Webb, MD
Scholarships: for undergraduate and graduate student scholarships, see the Cheryl L. Wase Memorial Scholarship, Matthew Tobin Cappetta Archaeological Scholarship, Student Excellence in Archaeology Scholarships, and Native American Scholarships.