Phelps, David Sutton, 1929-2009

David Sutton Phelps, Jr. (1929-2009) was an anthropologist and archaeologist. Phelps is most known for his anthropological and archaeological exploration of eastern North Carolina. This includes the discovery of a signet ring possibly connected to Sir Walter Raleigh's "Lost Colony." Phelps also excavated sites associated with indigenous peoples with some dating back approximately 12,000 years. He is most known for his work on sites connected to the Croatan and Tuscarora peoples of Eastern North Carolina. Phelps spent most of his career as a professor at East Carolina University and the university named their archaeology lab after Phelps.