Center for Archaeology and Society

SHESC Anthropology Collections and Archives

The School of Human Evolution and Social Change (SHESC), along with the Center for Archaeology and Society (CAS) and affiliated faculty, stewards extensive research and teaching collections and related archives in archaeology and ethnology. We are committed to the long-term care of these collections in accordance with all applicable governmental policies and procedures, as well as current professional standards for curation, data collection, management, access, and culturally appropriate care. Our collections facilitate research, publications, exhibitions, education, and community uses in accordance with applicable policies. Our access protocols for collections and archives are guided by Duty of Care agreements established with affiliated communities and our own policies which require consent and consultation. Please contact Christopher Caseldine for inquiries regarding collections information or access.

Collections in the care of the Center for Archaeology and Society Repository (CASR) include more than 300,000 groups of and individual cataloged archaeological and ethnographic items, primarily from Arizona and the broader U.S. Southwest. We are responsible for the care and curation of these cultural items on behalf of the Arizona Board of Regents and various federal agencies.

Collections include

• Extensive archaeological collections and associated archives from the U.S. Southwest
  • Bureau of Reclamation collections from central Arizona and Tonto National Forest associated with Central Arizona Project projects at Roosevelt, Bartlett, and Horseshoe Dams
  • Collections from Arizona associated with the ASU Office of Cultural Resource Management (OCRM)
  • Collections associated with ASU faculty research in the U.S. Southwest 
• Pottery whole vessel collection including both archaeological and ethnographic ceramics, primarily from the U.S. Southwest
• Type and comparative collections of a variety of materials:
  • Ceramics from the U.S. Southwest
  • Faunal material reference collection
  • Pollen samples
  • Seed/plant part samples
• ASU Dental Anthropology Collection, featuring casts from many parts of the world
• 20th century ethnographic collections from the U.S. Southwest
• Latin American Folk Art collection
• Ethnographic collections from Southeast Asia (William Sage Collection)
• The Irma Turtle collection of African art and material culture

Data and reports associated with CAS projects are hosted online in a set of digital collections on the Digital Archaeological Record (tDAR). These data and reports are available to researchers and redacted where applicable to remove sensitive information like site locations and culturally sensitive images or data.

General Collections

Center for Archaeology and Society Digital Collections

• General digital collection containing major CAS project data and reports

School of Human Evolution and Social Change Digital Collections

• General digital collection containing projects and data for investigations carried out by SHESC and the ASU Department of Anthropology from around the world, 1969-present

Project Specific Collections

Arizona State University Anthropological Research Papers

• Digital archive of ASU Anthropological Research Papers 1969-1982

Cibola Prehistory Project Digital Collections 

• Heshotauthla Archaeological Research Project 1990-1996
• Ojo Bonito Archaeology Project 1983-1994
• Upper Little Colorado Prehistory Project 1992-1994
• El Morro Valley Prehistory Project 1999-2004
• Rudd Creek Archaeological Project 1996
• Cibola Archaeological Research Project 1972-1973

Eastern Mimbres Archaeological Project (EMAP) Digital Collections 

• Survey and excavation data and reports from EMAP 1993-2003

Legacies on the Landscape Project Digital Collections

• Survey and excavation data and reports from Legacies Project 2004-2012

Mogollon Prehistoric Landscapes Project (MPLP) Digital Collections

• Survey and excavation data and reports from MPLP 2007-2013

Office of Cultural Resource Management (OCRM) Projects, Arizona State University

• Data and reports from OCRM projects 1978-2005

Roosevelt Dam Archaeological Project Digital Collections 1989-1998

• Roosevelt Platform Mound Study (conducted by ASU)
• Roosevelt Community Development Project (conducted by Desert Archaeology)
• Roosevelt Rural Sites Study (conducted by Statistical Research)
• Lower Verde Archaeological Project (conducted by Statistical Research)

Salinas Archaeological Research Project Digital Collections

• Survey and excavation data and reports from Salinas Pueblos projects 1984-2000