Archaeological Research Collections
The Archaeological Collections constitute the museum's largest collection, and are an important part of New Mexico's cultural heritage. Representing the largest assemblage of archaeological materials in New Mexico, the Repository contains an estimated 10 million artifacts and samples cataloged by container, and approximately 35,000 individually cataloged artifacts, along with more than 250 linear ft. of accompanying notes, maps, and photos.
Although some materials were collected from archaeological sites by Dr. Edgar Lee Hewett during the early 1900s, or from WPA projects during the 1930s, most of the collection has been assembled through Cultural Resource Management (CRM) investigations conducted since 1954, and includes both prehistoric and historic Native American materials as well as historic Euro-American artifacts recovered from Spanish Colonial settlements through early 20th century Anglo homesteads.
The Museum acts as the Repository for the State of New Mexico, curating archaeological materials from State lands, and also accepts donations of artifacts from private land in New Mexico. In addition, the Museum cares for archaeological materials from Federal and tribal lands within New Mexico, which are held by the Museum as long-term loans. Contact staff to obtain a curation agreement: Collections.MIAC@dca.nm.gov or 505-476-4443. The Procedures Manual for Submission of Archaeological Artifact and Record Collections (PDF) details the standards that must be met when submitting archaeological collections to the Museum for curation.
If you are planning to deposit collections in the Repository, please contact Collections.MIAC@dca.nm.gov or 505-476-4443 in order to schedule a drop-off.
Appointments to visit archaeological collections must be requested at least one month in advance and require Tribal consultation. We regret we will not be able to accommodate walk-in research visits. Please submit a completed "Request for Access to Archaeological Collections" form and make an appointment with staff: Collections.MIAC@dca.nm.gov or 505-476-4443 at least one month prior to the date you propose to visit collections. The Request form can be downloaded from this website.
Requests to photograph objects in collections, for research use only, are considered on a case-by-case basis and require Tribal consultation. Requests for scientific testing of archaeological specimens, provided Tribal consent has been granted, are considered by the Museum's Collections Committee at monthly meetings. Loans of materials for research can be made to qualified institutions with Tribal approval. Requests for loans must be made in writing and are also considered by the Collections Committee at their monthly meetings.