Federal archeological collections are unique, irreplaceable resources that are curated after archeological investigations on federal lands. Archeological collections include objects (artifacts, soil samples, etc.), associated documentation (excavation notes, photographs, maps, measured drawings, and data files), as well as reports. These curated materials constitute the archival record of an archeological investigation and, in many cases, are all that remains from an archeological site. Archeological collections are preserved at curatorial repositories managed by the federal government or its partners in the public's interest.
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of archeological collections, they may hold potential for future study. Archeologists may revisit them to ask new questions, apply new analytic technologies, or integrate them into synthetic studies of cultures or time periods. They are also of interest to fields other than archeology. Historians may utilize archeological collections for comparative research, particularly for populations under-represented in documentary sources. Ecologists may use them to assess ecosystem changes over time. Climate scientists may draw on archeological evidence to understand climate change. Indigenous and descendant communities may access archeological collections for traditional purposes or for their own scientific interests.
The management of federal archeological collections is governed by 36 CFR Part 79, which provides standards for repositories that contain archeological collections.
Curating Collections
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U.S. NavyNaval History and Heritage CommandManages collections of the U.S. Navy.
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National Park ServiceMidwest Archeological CenterCares for Midwestern archeological collections.
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Bureau of Land ManagementCanyon of the Ancients VC & MuseumSW Colorado's premier archeology museum.
Last updated: September 29, 2022