Anthropology Collection

Anthropology is the study of human societies and cultures, and their development. The Olson Museum of Natural History Anthropology collections are comprised of archaeological and ethnological artifacts from North America.

Hands hold pottery fragment from archaeology collection

Collections include material culture examples from North and South American and around the globe. Archaeological artifacts consist primarily of prehistoric Native American, and historic Euro-American specimens from central Wisconsin.

Additional holdings include ethnological art collections and archival photographs and documents. The department is fully committed to compliance with the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) and all other state, national and international laws that impact anthropological objects.

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The UWSP collection of more than 400,000 specimens from ten scientific disciplines is a wonderful resource to the university community and beyond. The Museum is grateful to have the support of our dedicated faculty members who support our below collections.
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Current Research

Dr. Reser’s research includes the documentation of a Late Paleo-Indian kill site in north-central Wisconsin, an examination and analysis of a Late Paleo-Indian cremation burial in central Wisconsin, and connections with Canadian sites containing similar lithic artifacts sourced from the same quarries in Jackson County Wisconsin, Thunder Bay, and Knife Lake Ontario. Additional projects include collaboration with the Menominee Language and Culture Commission on the creation of the first map of traditional Menominee territories, landforms, surface waters, and place names within Wisconsin entirely in the Menominee Language.

​Student Opportunities

Students gain applied experience in field and laboratory settings working with a wide variety of historic and prehistoric artifacts from around Wisconsin and beyond. There may be opportunities for students to get involved in this collection. For more information, contact Dr. Ray Reser at rreser@uwsp.edu.