Cultural Anthropology

Human culture is studied through various methods, including through objects, which anthropologists call material culture. Culture encompasses the things that make us human—our art, societal structures, rituals, beliefs and morals, and even our collective knowledge. Culture shapes who we are and how we behave. Using cultural objects as their guide, some cultural anthropologists study the development and progression of different cultures throughout history, looking at both local and global context.  
 

The Museum’s cultural anthropology collection contains more than 15,000 objects.  
 

The cultural anthropology collection will be closed to researchers beginning August 4, 2023, due to a facilities upgrade and an internal review of our access policies. For updated information on reopening and the Department of Cultural Anthropology’s holdings, please contact Dr. Meghan Strong, Director of Collections, at [email protected].

Museum staff are happy to offer assistance with object identification. Fill out this form and one of our anthropologists will get back to you as soon as possible. Please note that this form isn't to be used for requests to authenticate specimens or appraise them for monetary value or insurance purposes. The Museum no longer performs contract work or in-person consultations. 

Individuals seeking information about the Museum’s cultural anthropology collection in relation to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) should contact Dr. Meghan Strong, Director of Collections, at [email protected].