This is the text of the keynote address delivered by Prof. Fagan at the 1989 Annual Meeting of the Society. In the address Prof. Fagan emphasizes that California archaeology is part of a global enterprise aimed at creating a world prehistory. California archaeologists therefore must guard against overspecialization and recognize the broader contributions their research can make. He also points out that because the prehistory archaeologists create may fly against traditional belief systems, new ways of communicating the knowledge of prehistory must be developed to bridge the differences of outlook between archaeologists and the public.
-- Michael A. Glassow