From 1970–1996 Phelps taught anthropology at East Carolina University, which named an archaeology lab after him.
Tar river showed evidence of human occupation more than 11,000 years ago.
The process of making these canoes is through splitting a Cyprus log and burning/scraping the interior until the desired shape is acquired.
The earliest inhabitants associated with this region are represented by small spear points of the palmer type dating back to the period of 8000BCE – 9000BCE.
In 1998 Phelps discovered an unusual ball of clay that was later revealed to be a 10 carat gold signet ring.