Research Policies:
The archaeology department welcomes and encourages the use of its collections. Its resources are available for study and examination by all responsible parties.
On-site Visit: To arrange a visit, complete the Archaeology Collection Research Request Form and schedule an appointment with the curator or collection manager, providing at least 3 weeks advance notice. Requests will be granted subject to curatorial review. Visits must be conducted during regular public hours (8-5, M-F). Visitors must abide by department rules, particularly those regarding culturally sensitive materials.
Destructive Analysis: If you would like to conduct destructive analysis (radiocarbon dating, INAA, etc.) on artifacts from the archaeology collections, please review the Sam Noble Museum Sampling Policy and submit a Sampling Request to the curator or collection manager.
Loans: To arrange for a loan, please review the department’s Loan Policy and contact the curator or collection manager. Please plan well in advance. Before any loan may be sent out, the material must be inventoried, which may take some time depending on the state of the particular collection.
Repository Policies:
The archaeology department commonly accepts new artifact collections from research projects conducted by students, professors, curators and contractors. Applications for deposition of archaeological materials are welcomed for review. All requests are carefully considered and either accepted or denied by the curator of archaeology. If you are considering depositing a collection at the museum, please read the department’s Acceptance Policy for New Acquisitions. Next, contact the curator and submit a Request for Curation Form. Contractors working for non-federal agencies or private parties should review the Curation Fees.
All materials should be processed and cataloged according to museum standards prior to curation. Please carefully review the department’s Processing and Cataloging Instructions and Artifact Classification Guide. Use the department’s Catalog Tags and Bag Tags. Contact the collection manager with any questions and for an artifact-labeling template.