Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY – Visitors, Scholars
William D. Funkhouser, Cliff Dwelling Excavator 1923
William Delbert Funkhouser (1881-1948)

WILLIAM D. FUNKHOUSER Visitor, Cliff Dwelling Excavator 1923

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TAGS: William D. Funkhouser Visitor, William Delbert Funkhouser, prehistoric peoples, Indian Cliff Dwelling, William S. Webb, Dr. Arthur M. Miller, Victor K. Dodge, anthropology, archaeology, excavation, University of Kentucky, Indian Cliff Ancient Relics Discovered by Mountain Girl, archaeological overview, bluff sheltr, lithic scatter, rock shelters, cliff dwellings, midden, shell midden, Kentucky archaeology, archaeological overview, Frances Johnson, William Delbert Funkhouser, Major Victor Dodg, A.M. Miller, Greasy Creek, Katherine Pettit, Metcalf family, William Creech, Isaac’s Creek, L. and N. Railroad, Old Log House Cliff, students, Native American remains, Native American artifacts

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William D. Funkhouser’s deep interest in Kentucky’s prehistoric native peoples and their artifacts and sites brought him to Pine Mountain Settlement School in 1923, soon after the discovery by a student of the Indian Cliff Dwelling on the School’s property. The School staff, sensing the archaeological value of the Cliff Dwelling, summoned Professor Funkhouser, a zoologist at the University of Kentucky (UK), who then recruited Dr. Arthur M. Miller, a UK geologist, and Victor K. Dodge, a businessman to investigate the site with him. The two companions shared Dr. Funkhouser’s interest in anthropology and archaeology and all three were knowledgeable in excavating Native American sites in a systematic manner.

Soon after the Pine Mountain Settlement Cliff Dwelling excavation, Funkhouser and his colleagues, under the guidance of Professor William S. Webb, shaped the first Department of Anthropology and Archaeology at the University of Kentucky.  The discipline gained departmental status in 1926. The Department of Anthropology’s history page on the university’s website celebrated its 90th Anniversary in 2016, stating, “Much of what is known about Kentucky’s prehistory is a result of Webb and Funkhouser’s early efforts.”

Funkhouser has described his work at Pine Mountain in a short summary found in his important publication, Ancient Life in Kentucky: A Brief Presentation of the Paleontological Succession in Kentucky Coupled with a Systematic Outline of the Archaeology of the Commonwealth, co-edited with William S. Webb in 1928 and considered a seminal work on Kentucky archaeology.

WILLIAM D. FUNKHOUSER Visitor: Background

William Delbert Funkhouser was born in Rockport, Indiana, on March 13, 1881, the first child of Hugh C. Funkhouser, a piano salesman, and Laura J. Funkhouser. As of the 1900 U.S. Census, he had three brothers and two sisters.

After graduating with honors from Wabash College in 1905 and teaching in high schools, he earned an M.A. degree in 1912 and a Ph.d. from Cornell University in 1916. He married Josephine Kinney Funkhouser (1881-1972).

In 1918 Funkhouser became a professor of zoology and the head of the Department of Zoology at the University of Kentucky (UK). He held that position for the rest of his life. He also became a professor in the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology after he and Webb had established that department. From 1925 he served as dean of UK’s Graduate School.

He was a prolific writer on subjects in his fields of interest. According to his obituary in AAAS Science Magazine, he produced 327 publications. In addition, he received numerous honors and held memberships and offices in learned societies. The Science obituary described him as well-liked by all those who were associated with him, including two generations of students, who appreciated his easygoing way of presenting deeply engaging lectures.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

Archaeological Survey of Kentucky. William D. Funkhouser, William S. Webb. Reports in Archaeology and Anthropology, 2. Lexington, KY: Dept of Anthropology and Archaeology, University of Kentucky. 1932 ( tDAR id: 64072) 

Kentucky Cliff Dwellers. William D. Funkhouser. Manuscript No. ,1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky L  

Review of the “Chilton Site” By W. D. Funkhouser and W. S. Webb. James B. Griffin. American Antiquity. 6 (2): 185-186. 1940 ( tDAR id: 176568) Library. 1987 ( tDAR id: 184965) 

Review of “Archaeological Survey of Kentucky,” by W. S. Webb and W. D. Funkhouser. W. C. McKern. American Antiquity. 00 (1): 76-77. 1935 ( tDAR id: 185277) 

Review of “The Ricketts Site, in Montgomery County, Kentucky” By W.S. Webb and W.D. Funkhouser. Joffre L. Coe. American Antiquity. 3 (3): 196-196. 1937 ( tDAR id: 175750) 

The Ceramic Affiliation of the Ohio Valley Adena Culture, in the Adena People by W. S. Webb and William D. Funkhouser. James B. Griffin. Reports in Archaeology and Anthropology,1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky. 1945 ( tDAR id: 184851) 

Archaeological Treasures in Kentucky. William D. Funkhouser. Kentucky Progressive Magazine. 2 (3): UNK-UNK. 1929 ( tDAR id: 184961) 

Prehistoric Man in Kentucky. William D. Funkhouser. Kentucky Progressive Magazine. 4 (4): UNK-UNK. 1931 ( tDAR id: 184616) 

Ancient Men of the Mountains. William D. Funkhouser. Mountain Life and Work , 4-1. Kentucky: Berea. 1928 ( tDAR id: 185420) 

Kentucky was Center of the Activities of Neolithic Man. William D. Funkhouser. The American Indian, 3-1. Tulsa: The American Indian. 1929 ( tDAR id: 184967) 

Portraits of Kentuckians. William D. Funkhouser. 1943 ( tDAR id: 184617) 

Dead Men Tell Tales. William D. Funkhouser. 1944 ( tDAR id: 184618) 

Primitive Magic: a Study in Cultural Anthropology. William D. Funkhouser. 1946 ( tDAR id: 184622) 

Aboriginal Vocations. William D. Funkhouser. Manuscript No. ,1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Library. 1987 ( tDAR id: 184963) 

*Cave Dwellers. William D. Funkhouser. Manuscript No. ,1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Library. 1987 ( tDAR id: 185486) 

Cave Women. William D. Funkhouser. Manuscript No. ,1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Library. 1987 ( tDAR id: 184964) 

Ceremonial Mound. William D. Funkhouser. Manuscript No. ,1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Library. 1987 ( tDAR id: 185491) 

Kentucky Cave Men. William D. Funkhouser. Manuscript No. ,1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Library. 1987 ( tDAR id: 185485) 

*Kentucky Cliff Dwellers. William D. Funkhouser. Manuscript No. ,1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Library. 1987 ( tDAR id: 184965) 

Kentucky Prehistory. William D. Funkhouser. Kentucky Club Women. Kentucky: Kentucky Club Women. 1929 ( tDAR id: 184962) 

Prehistoric Crittenden. William D. Funkhouser. Kentucky Progressive Magazine-March. Kentucky: Kentucky Progressive Magazine. 1931 ( tDAR id: 184711) 

Preservation of Prehistoric Sites. William D. Funkhouser. Manuscript No., 1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Library. 1987 ( tDAR id: 184968) 

River People. William D. Funkhouser. Manuscript Number 1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Library. 1987 ( tDAR id: 184970) 

Rock Shelters. William D. Funkhouser. Manuscript Number 1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Library. 1987 ( tDAR id: 184966) 

So-Called “Hominy Holes” of Kentucky. William S. Webb, William D. Funkhouser. American Anthropologist. 31: 701-709. 1929 ( tDAR id: 175976) 

Village Sites. William D. Funkhouser. Manuscript Number 1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky Library. 1987 ( tDAR id: 184969) 

The Adena People. William S. Webb, William D. Funkhouser. Reports in Archaeology and Anthropology,1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky. 1945 ( tDAR id: 185231) 

Archaeological Survey of Kentucky. William D. Funkhouser, W. S. Webb. Reports in Archaeology and Anthropology,1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky. 1932 ( tDAR id: 184621) 

McLeod Bluff Site in Hickman County, Kentucky. William S. Webb, W. D. Funkhouser. Reports in Archaeology and Anthropology,3-1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky. 1933 ( tDAR id: 175895) 

Ricketts Site Revisited, Site 3, Montgomery County, Kentucky. William S. Webb, W. D. Funkhouser. Reports in Archaeology and Anthropology ,3-1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky. 1940 ( tDAR id: 176020) 

Rock Shelters in Menifee County. William S. Webb, W. D. Funkhouser. Reports in Archeology and Anthropology ,3-1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky. 1936 ( tDAR id: 175860) 

Ancient Life in Kentucky. William D. Funkhouser, W. S. Webb. Geologic Reports ,6-1. Kentucky: Kentucky Geological Survey. 1928 ( tDAR id: 184615) 

Rock Shelters of Wolfe and Powell Counties, Kentucky. W. D. Funkhouser, W. S. Webb. Reports of Archeology and Anthropology,1-1. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky. 1930 ( tDAR id: 184723) 

Archaeological Survey of a Proposed Paper Mill Site Near East Dublin, Laurens County, Georgia. Gary Funkhouser. 1991 ( tDAR id: 160696) 

The McLeod Bluff site, in Hickman County, Kentucky. William Snyder Webb, W. D. (William Delbert) Funkhouser. 1933 ( tDAR id: 170957) 

The Chilton site in Henry County, Kentucky. W. D. (William Delbert) Funkhouser, William Snyder Webb. 1937 ( tDAR id: 176569) 

The Ricketts site in Montgomery County, Kentucky. W. D. (William Delbert) Funkhouser, William Snyder Webb. 1935 ( tDAR id: 175748) 

Archaeological Survey of Kentucky, University of Kentucky Publications. W. S. Webb, W. D. Funkhouser. 1932 ( tDAR id: 165740) 

The Duncan site on the Kentucky-Tennessee line. W. D. (William Delbert) Funkhouser, William Snyder Webb. 1931 ( tDAR id: 185543) 

The Page site in Logan County, Kentucky. William Snyder Webb, W. D. (William Delbert) Funkhouser. 1930 ( tDAR id: 176054) 

The so-called “ash caves” in Lee County, Kentucky. W. D. (William Delbert) Funkhouser, William Snyder Webb. 1929 ( tDAR id: 94179) 

The Tolu site in Crittenden County, Kentucky. William Snyder Webb, William Delbert joint author Funkhouser. 1931 ( tDAR id: 176364) 

The Williams site in Christian county, Kentucky. William Snyder Webb, W. D. (William Delbert) Funkhouser. 1929 ( tDAR id: 176660) 

The occurrence of the fossil remains of Pleistocene vertebrates in the caves of Barren County, Kentucky. William S. (William Snyder) Webb, W. D. (William Delbert) Funkhouser. 1934 ( tDAR id: 155460) 

Archaeological Investigation of the Little Egypt Site (9Mu102), Murray County, Georgia, 1970-72 Seasons. David J. Hally, Beverly H. Connor, Gary Funkhouser, Janet A. Roth, Marvin T. Smith. 1980 ( tDAR id: 142848) 

Archaeological Survey in the Proposed Corps of Engineers Flood Control Project Area, Buena Vista, Virginia. John M. McDaniel, Ellis C. Coleman, Gary Funkhouser, George Tolley. 1975 ( tDAR id: 163259) 

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William D. Funkhouser died in Lexington, Kentucky, on June 9, 1948. He and his wife are buried in the Lexington (KY) Cemetery.

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For more about the Indian Cliff Dwelling and its excavation, go to:

ARTHUR M. MILLER Visitor – Biography

INDIAN CLIFF DWELLING History

INDIAN CLIFF Ancient Relics Discovered by Mountain Girl Newspaper Story

NOTES of the Pine Mountain Settlement School, November 1926

VICTOR K. DODGE Visitor – Biography

Return To:
BIOGRAPHY – A-Z

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Title	William D. Funkhouser
Alt. Title	William Delbert Funkhouser ; Professor Funkhouser ;
Identifier	https://pinemountainsettlement.net/?post=68729
Creator	Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY
Alt. Creator	Helen Hayes Wykle ; Ann Angel Eberhardt
Subject Keyword	William D. Funkhouser ; William Delbert Funkhouser; prehistoric peoples, Indian Cliff Dwelling, William S. Webb, Dr. Arthur M. Miller, Victor K. Dodge, anthropology, excavation, University of Kentucky
Subject LCSH	Funkhouser, William Delbert, — 1881 – 1948. Pine Mountain (Ky.) Settlement School — History. Harlan County (Ky.) — History. Education — Kentucky — Harlan County. Rural schools — Kentucky — History. Kentucky — Antiquities. Prehistoric peoples — Kentucky. Paleontology — Kentucky. Indians of North America — Kentucky — Antiquities. Schools — Appalachian Region, Southern.
Date	2019-07-21 aae
Publisher	Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY
Contributor	n/a
Type	Collections ; text ; image ;
Format	Original and copies of documents and correspondence in file folders in filing cabinet.
Source	Series 09: Biography – Scholars
Language	English
Relation	Is related to: Pine Mountain Settlement School Collections, Series 09: Biography – Scholars.
Coverage Temporal	1881 – 1948
Coverage Spatial	Pine Mountain, KY ; Harlan County, KY ; Lexington, KY ; Rockport, IN ; Ithaca, NY ;
Rights	Any display, publication or public use must credit the Pine Mountain Settlement School. Copyright retained by the creators of certain items in the collection or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Donor	n/a
Description	Core documents, correspondence, writings and administrative papers created by or addressed to William D. Funkhouser ; clippings, photographs, publications, illustrations by or about William D. Funkhouser.
Acquisition	n/d
Citation	“[Identification of Item],” [Collection Name] [Series Number, if applicable]. Pine Mountain Settlement School Institutional Papers. Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY.
Processed By	Helen Hayes Wykle ; Ann Angel Eberhardt ;
Last Updated	2023-07-08 aae ; 2025-06-25 hhw
Bibliography	William D. Funkhouser was a prolific writer, having produced 327 publications. Go to INDIAN CLIFF DWELLING for a partial listing of his papers and books. Funkhouser, William D, and William S. Webb. Ancient Life in Kentucky: A Brief Presentation of the Paleontological Succession in Kentucky Coupled with a Systematic Outline of the Archaeology of the Commonwealth. Frankfort, Ky: The Kentucky Geological Survey, 1928. Print.
Sources	Sources “Find A Grave Index,” database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVKB-LFCL : accessed 23 July 2019), Josephine K Funkhouser, 1972; Burial, Lexington, Fayette, Kentucky, United States of America, Lexington Cemetery; citing record ID 57034171,  Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com. “Obituary: William D. Funkhouser. “AAAS SCIENCE Magazine. December 24, 1948, Vol. 108, p. 726. https://science.sciencemag.org/content/108/2817/726. Internet Resource. University of Kentucky, Department of Anthropology and Archaeology website. https://anthropology.as.uky.edu/ anthropology-history. Internet resource. “United States Census, 1900,” database with images,  FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9MS-GJB : accessed 23 July 2019), William D Funkhouser in household of Hugh C Funkhouser, Center Township, Precinct 1 Indianapolis city Ward 1, Marion, Indiana, United States; citing enumeration district ED) 19, sheet 11A, family 228, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,387. Internet resource. “United States Census, 1930,” database with images,  FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XM6X-7SQ : accessed 23 July 2019), William D Funkhouser, Lexington, Fayette, Kentucky, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 8, sheet 8B, line 86, family 202, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 743; FHL microfilm 2,340,478. Internet resource. “William D. Funkhouser.” INDIAN CLIFF DWELLING. Series 09: Biography – Scholars and Series 10: Built Environment. Pine Mountain Settlement School Institutional Papers. Pine Mountain Settlement School, Pine Mountain, KY. Internet resource.