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Museum History and Resources
MUSEUM HISTORY
The Museum of Anthropology at Wayne State University has been a quiet training ground for students and area residents interested in local history for a generation. Founded in 1958 by Dr. Arnold Pilling, the Museum has long been a center for local archaeological research. The new Director of the Museum and Anthropology Department faculty member is Dr. Tamara Bray. She is an archaeologist with research interests in both North and South American prehistory.
In 1997, the Museum moved to its beautiful new location on the first floor of the historic Old Main building. Old Main, constructed in 1896, is the oldest building on the Wayne State campus. It recently underwent a complete renovation and was reopened to the public on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.
MUSEUM RESOURCES
Collections
The Museum's collections consist of archaeological, ethnographic, and contemporary modern materials. The majority of the Museum's holding pertain to North America, with an emphasis on Michigan. Other geographical regions represented in the collections include Africa, Central America, the Carribean, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
The Museum is strongest in the area of local historical and archaeological materials. These collections have been amassed through the investigation of local sites by WSU International Field Schools or WSU Local Field Schools over the past 30 years.
Students learn about standard museum cataloguing and curation practices by working with these collections. There are also significant research opportunities available to students interested in working with these materials.
Archaeology Lab
 
The Archaeology Lab is outfitted with binocular and polarizing microscopes, thin-sectioning equipment and a kiln for ceramic analyses, photographic and reproduction equipment, computers and scanner, and surveying, mapping, and drafting equipment and software.
Anthro Library
The Anthropology library has a substantial collection of books on Michigan history, general archaeology, and Latin America; various series' of local and trade journals; and a collection of anthropology-related videos.
Manuscript Archives
Site files pertaining to Michigan archaeology; some historic maps; records and notes of local collectors; files on local history
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