Ethnological Collections

ASM's ethnological collections—about 40,000 items—represent over 400 different culture groups. More than one third are from the southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

General Information

In addition to the collections from the Southwest, the remaining collections are from other parts of North America, Central and South America, Africa, Oceania, and Asia.

Southwestern collections consist primarily of basketry, pottery, and textiles. katsina carvings, carved masks, jewelry, and beadwork are also well represented. In addition, the ethnological collections contain a wide variety of utilitarian objects such as household tools, musical instruments, and weapons. These collections date mostly from the 1880s to the 1980s.

Plains and Great Lakes beadwork, Mexican masks, Philippine pottery, and select examples of African and Oceanic sculpture are but a few of the other artifact categories in Arizona State Museum's extensive and varied ethnographic holdings.

The ethnological collections at ASM are indexed by several databases. These databases are currently accessible in-house, but plans are underway to offer online access.

Queries about the ethnological collections should be addressed to:

Diane Dittemore
Ethnological Collections Curator
Arizona State Museum / University of Arizona
PO Box 210026
Tucson, AZ 85721-0026
520-621-2079

Note Regarding Appraisals

Ethical guidelines prevent us from providing appraisals. For businesses that can assist you with appraisals you may consult our List of Resources (PDF * ). The list does not indicate any preference or recommendation by the museum. It contains mainly businesses in the Tucson, AZ area. For other areas you may refer to the American Society of Appraisers to locate an appraiser or check with a local gallery that deals with American Indian art.

* PDF requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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