Resources

The museum's collections consist of over half a million archaeological, ethnographic, and contemporary objects. The majority of the museum's holdings pertain to North America, with an emphasis on Michigan, though materials from around the world are housed in the collections.

Following the establishment of a State Archaeologist's Office, archaeologists across Michigan worked to document the breadth of sites in their regions of the state, to create a set of centralized files to assist other archaeologists in their research. Dr. Pilling focused his work on the tri-county area around Detroit, leading to a collection of site files and sample collections from across the region which are housed here at the museum. As construction in Detroit boomed in the 1960s Pilling and his students were involved in documenting and excavating sites downtown. Additionally, as local avocational archaeologists sought out homes for their regional collections, many of them chose to deposit some of their materials here at Wayne State.

The museum's largest collections emphasize local historical and archaeological materials of the greater Detroit region. The majority of these collections have been gathered through archaeological investigation and WSU student field schools over the past 60 years.

Pilling and Grosscup also recognized the value of having an extensive comparative collection. With a focus on interpreting artifacts from historical archaeological contexts, the two acquired an extensive collection of ceramics, glass and other objects from vintage stores and estate sales. Likewise, an extensive collection of Detroit brick is also housed in the museum.

Ethnographic collections at the museum are smaller in nature, and more eclectic. Students, faculty and community members have donated objects they acquired from family or during travels for research or leisure. These run the gamut from traditional clothing to musical instruments and tourist art.

Using collections, students learn about standard museum cataloging and proper curation practices. Collections are also available for anthropological research and analysis. There are significant research opportunities available to students interested in working with the museum's collections.

Museum Lab

The Museum Lab is outfitted with binocular and polarizing microscopes, thin-sectioning equipment and a kiln for ceramic analyses. We also have equipment for 3D scanning and 3D printing, a large-format printer, and a headset and software for developing virtual exhibits. Photography and exhibit construction tools are also available. The lab has an extensive library and comparative material culture collection that students can use for artifact identification. Our computers have ArcGIS and Past Perfect 5.0 in addition to word processing software.

Field equipment for archaeological fieldwork, including Munsell charts, screens, shovels and a Trimble receiver, are also housed in the museum.

Anthropology Library

The Anthropology library has a substantial four-field collection of books, in addition to books on Michigan history. We also house a variety of various local and trade journals. For those needing to relax, we also have an extensive collection of anthropologically themed fiction in the director's office. All of these materials are available to check out with the assistance of a museum staff member.

Manuscript archives

The museum's archives contain site files, field notes, photographs, maps and other primary documents associated with our archaeological collections and museum, along with early archaeology of southeastern Michigan.

Aboriginal Research Club

The local archaeological organization in the early 20th century in Detroit was called the Aboriginal Research Club. Many of the organization's papers, including correspondence, photographs, financials, meeting-attendance registers and copies of the club's newsletter, "The Totem Pole," are housed in our museum. This collection has not been fully processed. Additionally, some papers from several of the club's most active members, including Carl Holmquist, are housed in the museum archives.