Brigham Young University. Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology

The Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology was established around 1951 to hold the University's archaeological and ethnographic collections in a format available to the public. It was renamed the Museum of Peoples and Cultures in 1980.

Variant names

The Archaeology Museum

Description

Established: circa 1951

Abolished: 1980

Location: Provo, Utah (circa 1951-1980)

Functions

The Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology housed the archaeological and ethnographic collections of the University, which consisted of materials for study and research in the cultural history of man in both the Old World and New World. Special areas of interest were those of the American Southwest and Mesoamerica. The material culture of the people who lived in Utah in prehistoric times was especially emphasized in the southwest section. Most of the the artifacts in the museum were collected by members of the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology while on field expeditions. The ethnographic collection constisted of matierals collected from Polynesia, Alaska, Mexico, and the Southwest. Also among the museum collections were field excavation records, photographs, site survey cards, maps, and drawings of materials excavated by archaeological expeditions of the University.

Assets and Administrative Structure

The museum was a unit within the overall structure of Brigham Young University.

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University (circa 1951-1980)

Later unit: Brigham Young University. Museum of Peoples and Cultures (1980)

Associated unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Archaeology (1951-1965)

Associated unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Anthropology and Archaeology (1965-1980)

Sources

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog 1970-1972 pg. 59 (The Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology housed the archaeological and ethnographic collections of the University, which consisted of materials for study and research in the cultural history of man in both the Old World and New World. Special areas of interest were those of the American Southwest and Mesoamerica. The material culture of the people who lived in Utah in prehistoric times was especially emphasized in the southwest section. Most of the the artifacts in the museum were collected by members of the Department of Anthropology and Archaeology while on field expeditions. The ethnographic collection constisted of matierals collected from Polynesia, Alaska, Mexico, and the Southwest. Also among the museum collections were field excavation records, photographs, site survey cards, maps, and drawings of materials excavated by archaeological expeditions of the University)

Brigham Young University Annual catalog 1951-1952 pg. 74 (Inception circa 1951)

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2011-00194

Creator: ARC