Policies

The Archaeological Museum cares for 12,000 objects, most of which were collected and donated to the museum in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. We do not currently purchase any archaeological material for the museum. Any donations or transfers of objects are carefully considered by the museum’s Faculty Advisory Committee to ensure that we are upholding our legal and ethical responsibilities. Our Guidelines and Policies document outlines these commitments.

In light of recent tragic and disturbing events surrounding the disrespectful use of deceased people in university departmental collections, our museum is reflecting upon and redrafting our collections guidelines and policies around the care of human remains.

The museum is also currently involved in a process of identifying material that falls under the legislation of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) in order to ensure that ancestors and ancestral items may be reconnected with their descendant communities.