About the Center

The CfPA offers the following programs in research, education and community engagement and collaboration:

Annual archaeological field school in local historical archaeology
Active on-campus archaeological research laboratory
Advanced independent training for students in archaeological field and lab-based research
Collaborative community-based archaeological research and programming
Community workshops to discuss the relevance of archaeology and history in local settings
Public workshops on topics and resources in local history and archaeology
Speaker events
Archaeological site tours
School visits by Hofstra archaeology students for elementary schools
Community service learning opportunities

The Center for Public Archaeology at Hofstra University works with Hofstra students and the greater community to think critically about the relationships between the past and present and the experience of place on Long Island. We focus specifically on the archaeology of poor and marginal people, such as enslaved and free African Americans, historic Native Americans, and others whose histories are hidden by mainstream conceptions of history on Long Island. We also use archaeological research to explain how the region was created and to shed light on the culturally significant past events and historic communities that shape the contours of our own lives.

The Center for Public Archaeology was founded by Christopher Matthews and Jenna Coplin of the Department of Anthropology at Hofstra University in 2008. The Center works in collaboration with many local organizations including the Setauket-based Higher Ground Intercultural and Heritage Association, Inc., The Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities, and the Friends of Rock Hall. Please visit our research website to learn more.

We can be reached at (516) 463-4093 or via e-mail