Memorial: Mark P. Leone (1940–2024)

Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Maryland, passed away on 11 December 2024 at age 84 (Fig. 1).Leone's work had a significant impact on the field of historical archaeology.His long presence in the field and his dedication to the discipline and to his students allowed him to train several generations of professionals who continue to make contributions to the field and society.He helped establish historical archaeology as an essential subfield of the larger discipline of archaeology, contributing to the development of urban archaeology and the study of social inequality.His approach to archaeology, which emphasized the need for archaeological findings to be contextualized within larger social, political, and economic systems, continues to shape the way archaeologists approach excavations and interpretation.His commitment to public engagement in archaeology also set a standard for making archaeological research more inclusive and relevant to communities.By using archaeology as a tool for exploring both historical narratives and contemporary issues, Leone's work has left a lasting legacy to the field.Leone was born on 26 June 1940, in Waltham, Massachusetts.He studied history as an undergraduate at Tufts University, earning a bachelor of arts in 1963.