Archaeology and Ethnography
Excavation at the Hoover Site in Louisiana
The Museum’s Anthropology Division holds both archaeological and ethnographic collections.
The archaeological collections consist of artifacts and other site-related materials from over 2000 sites, predominantly in the southeastern United States, and including extensive collections from WPA-related excavations in the Lower Mississippi River Valley. The ethnographic collection contains over 3000 objects from South America, Africa, Australia, Oceania, Asia and the Arctic, and is particularly strong in Native American basketry from Louisiana and featherwork from the Amazon basin.
Featherwork from Amazonia
The Division also has a Zooarchaeological Comparative Collection that includes a synoptic component, as well as a small seed collection.
Most of these collections are available to researchers, including students, by appointment. However, NAGPRA-related material is not available for research.
Collection Databases
Complicated Stamped Sherd from South Louisiana, ca. A.D. 1000
- Archaeological Sites
- Archaeology Collection
- Ethnographic Collection
- Seed Reference Collection
- Zooarchaeology Collection
Rebecca Saunders, Retired Curator
Irene Martí Gil, Collections Manager