Important Note about Access to Anthropology Collections:
Due to ongoing construction, our Ethnology storeroom is currently closed to all research and visitor requests. We will again allow access (by appointment only) once we are confident that the construction will no longer impact the space or our ability to work with the collections safely.
Access to our Archaeology storeroom is by appointment only; please contact our Collection Managers to arrange an appointment.
Our Registrar’s Office is also impacted by several major collection moves and exhibit installations. For this reason, we are not able to consider new exhibit loan requests until September 30, 2013.
Please contact our Collection Managers with any questions regarding access to the collections.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience.
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Anthropology and Archaeology FAQs
Can you authenticate and appraise the value of my artifact?
The Museum is a nonprofit foundation and Museum employees are prohibited from authenticating and/or appraising the value of artifacts and specimens. Appraisals can be obtained from private dealers and auction houses. You can also try to find an appraiser through the American Society of Appraisers.
Do you accept donations?
We do accept donations but must evaluate their relevance to our collection on a case-by-case basis. To inquire about making a donation, please send photographs, a description, and any background information about where the object(s) is from and how it was collected to any one of Anthropology's staff members.
How can I care for my treasures at home?
For helpful advice, you can download one of the brochures, by object type, from the American Institute for Conservation's "Caring for Your Treasures" page.