Matthew Stirling, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Date of Death

Matthew Stirling

American Mesoamericanist

Date of Birth: 28-Aug-1896

Place of Birth: Salinas, California, United States

Date of Death: 23-Jan-1975

Profession: archaeologist, anthropologist

Nationality: United States

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Matthew Williams Stirling (August 28, 1896 – January 23, 1975) was an American ethnologist, archaeologist and later an administrator at several scientific institutions in the field.
He is best known for his discoveries relating to the Olmec civilization. Stirling began his career with extensive ethnological work in the United States, New Guinea and Ecuador, before directing his attention to the Olmec civilization and its possible primacy among the pre-Columbian societies of Mesoamerica.
His discovery of, and excavations at, various sites attributed to Olmec culture in the Mexican Gulf Coast region significantly contributed towards a better understanding of the Olmecs and their culture.
He then began investigating links between the different civilizations in the region.
Apart from his extensive field work and publications, later in his career Stirling proved to be an able administrator of academic and research bodies, who served on directorship boards of a number of scientific organizations.