James Newlin Hill; UCLA Archeologist, Expert on Southwest

James Newlin Hill, 62, UCLA archeologist who studied prehistoric societies in the Southwest. Hill’s emphasis was on how changes in prehistoric social organization were influenced by demographics and environment. He often based his theories on population changes during the rise and fall of societies. Earlier this year, Hill won the excellence award from the Society for American Archaeology for his studies of social organization based on designs recorded on prehistoric pottery. In addition to his teaching, Hill chaired the UCLA anthropology department from 1983 to 1987 and from 1993 to 1996. A native Californian, Hill earned his undergraduate degree in history from Pomona College, served in the Navy and then got his master’s degree and doctorate in anthropology at the University of Chicago. He had taught at UCLA since 1965. On Aug. 2 in Los Angeles of cancer.