A Closest Friend
By Neil Steede © 2011
Doctor David Kelley of the University of Calgary has passed. His indelible mark upon Mesoamerican archaeology can never be erased—he was one of the Big Three in Mayan archaeology. Dave was incredibly well-read and well-versed. Some of his contributions to Mesoamerican archaeology include great additions in the reading of Maya hieroglyphs, the understanding of the origins of the Maya Calendar, strong evidences of Pre-Columbian transoceanic contact between the Middle East and the Maya culture, conclusive evidence of institutional attempts to destroy the Valsequillo evidence of man’s antiquity in the Americas (which, incidentally, was opposed to David’s own view of early man in ancient America at that time). Dave followed the evidence no matter where it led, and that meant even in opposition to his own view. These types of things are what made Dave great, but believe me there was more, much more.
David and I first met in 1984 at an Epigraphic Society conference. We had read each others previous writings, but we immediately developed a deep and life-long friendship based on a myriad of commonalities. It goes without saying that Dave had ten times the weight in this extremely unbalanced and unforeseen friendship. I seemingly had nothing to offer and Dave understood that he could offer so much. At the end of the five day conference Dave took me aside and made the statement that changed my life. He said, “Neil, anytime that you need to you can use my name, and if anyone ever asks me if I allowed you to use my name, though I may not be aware of the study that you are doing at the time, I will confirm that I totally support you and will even state that you are performing the questioned study at my request.” Needless to say, I was flabbergasted. Dave was offering carte blanche power to use his name. Allow me to explain my view at this point. Dave was gifting me something that I consider to be most precious, and over the years Dave kept that promise and was an immovable supporter. Unimaginable doors were opened. And I never attempted to abuse this greatest of gifts.
You see, I have several best friends, but none of them have ever even offered a carte blanche use of their name. This is why I have referred to Dave as my “closest friend” as opposed to my “best friend.” Most people have never been so blessed. Thank you, Dave.
Now, because of Dave’s act I have had an archaeologist’s dream life. I have been involved in countless significant studies thanks to Dave and we are a full generation apart as I was born the year that Dave received his PhD from Harvard. As far as I know, there is no other “Dave” nor can there be. Dave, wherever you are, I promise to attempt to live up to your expectation and always “go where the evidence leads.”
Note: For anyone interested in “follow-ups” on the Dave-inspired studies, please feel free to contact me at neilsteede@earlysites.org and note the subject “Dave Kelley.”
David and I first met in 1984 at an Epigraphic Society conference. We had read each others previous writings, but we immediately developed a deep and life-long friendship based on a myriad of commonalities. It goes without saying that Dave had ten times the weight in this extremely unbalanced and unforeseen friendship. I seemingly had nothing to offer and Dave understood that he could offer so much. At the end of the five day conference Dave took me aside and made the statement that changed my life. He said, “Neil, anytime that you need to you can use my name, and if anyone ever asks me if I allowed you to use my name, though I may not be aware of the study that you are doing at the time, I will confirm that I totally support you and will even state that you are performing the questioned study at my request.” Needless to say, I was flabbergasted. Dave was offering carte blanche power to use his name. Allow me to explain my view at this point. Dave was gifting me something that I consider to be most precious, and over the years Dave kept that promise and was an immovable supporter. Unimaginable doors were opened. And I never attempted to abuse this greatest of gifts.
You see, I have several best friends, but none of them have ever even offered a carte blanche use of their name. This is why I have referred to Dave as my “closest friend” as opposed to my “best friend.” Most people have never been so blessed. Thank you, Dave.
Now, because of Dave’s act I have had an archaeologist’s dream life. I have been involved in countless significant studies thanks to Dave and we are a full generation apart as I was born the year that Dave received his PhD from Harvard. As far as I know, there is no other “Dave” nor can there be. Dave, wherever you are, I promise to attempt to live up to your expectation and always “go where the evidence leads.”
Note: For anyone interested in “follow-ups” on the Dave-inspired studies, please feel free to contact me at neilsteede@earlysites.org and note the subject “Dave Kelley.”
