The history of San Diego State Collections Management began in the late 1950's when SDSU acquired archaeological and ethnographic collections. Most of our collections are the result of archaeological excavations by students and faculty at sites in the San Diego area. SDSU also curates collections from archaeological sites around the world, including other parts of California, Arizona, Nebraska, the Northwest Coast of North America, the Arctic, the American Woodlands, Baja California, Bolivia, Peru, Denmark, Sweden, Rome, Mesopotamia, and Africa. In addition, ethnographic items collected by John P. Harrington and others are curated at Collections Management program.

Archaeological collections curated at SDSU represent a significant resource for research and education. Collections Management has an active research program with opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to undertake independent studies and internships. Opportunities to learn about local archaeology, artifact identification, exhibitions, curation, and federal and state regulations are abundant.

Interns in the Collections Management serve a vital and significant role in the curation of archaeological collections. As part of this internship, students learn artifact identification and nomenclature. Students work with groundstone, chipped stone, ceramics, as well as shell and other items. Interns learn about the laws and regulations that guide curation practice, as well as the most up to date curation methods for archaeological and ethnographic artifacts. The curation methods used in the Collections Management Program follow those set forth by the National Park Service Museum Handbook, and the Federal Regulation “Care of Federally Owned and Administered Archaeological Collections” (36 CFR 79).

To begin an internship, students must register for Anthropology 495 (undergraduate) or Anthropology 795 (graduate). Forms are available in the Anthropology Office or can be downloaded below. Completion of (or current enrollment in) Anthropology 301, 302, 303, and 304 is prerequisite. For more information, contact Jaime Lennox at [email protected].

Download the Anthropology 495: Internship in Anthropology Form

Download the Anthropology 795: Internship in Anthropology Form

Help Preserve California's Past!

California has a rich historic and prehistoric heritage. The collections at SDSU represent and preserve this heritage. You can help to protect them by participating in our Educational Outreach Program. San Diego State University graduate students in anthropology visit public schools, private schools, or organizations to talk to students about archaeology. Archaeological collections will be brought to schools with information on California's exciting past.

Learn

• What archaeology is
• What an archaeologist does
• What career opportunities are available within the field of archaeology
• How archaeologists are unlocking secrets of ancient life, not only world-wide, but right here in San Diego

Our goal is to stimulate the student's interest in archaeology, while at the same time recognizing the importance of cultural heritage, and to respect the archaeological record by not removing artifacts or damaging sites.

Available to grades Kindergarten through 12, by appointment

Important Documents

• Program Flyer
• Program Description
• Teacher Evaluation of Instructor Form

• SDSU Department of Anthropology
• SDSU Association of Anthropology Students (AAS)
• SDSU Anthropology Graduate Student Association (AGSA)
• The Kumeyaay Nation
• American Anthropological Association
• San Diego Archaeological Center
• San Diego County Archaeological Society
• Society for California Archaeology
• Society for American Archaeology
• South Coastal Information Center