Anthropologists explore the past and present diversity of humans and human culture. At the California Academy of Sciences, members of the Department of Anthropology conduct research, assist in the development of a variety of public programs and maintain an extensive collection of cultural objects from all over the world. Research is carried out in the fields of Physical Anthropology, Ethnography, and Folklore.

   
Curator and Irvine Chair Zeray Alemseged undertakes research on early hominin and primate phylogeny and taxonomy, the origin and evolution of bipedalism, ontogeny and development in early hominins, hominin behavior and "social structure," early hominin dietary adaptation, biogeography and geological settings, and hominin paleoenvironments and paleoecology. Click here for more information.
Senior Collection Manager Russell Hartman conducts ethnographic research related to the department's collection.

Expeditions & Projects

FAQs

  • Accessing the collection

    The Anthropology collections are available for study by qualified researchers by advance appointment only. To determine if our collection contains any objects which might prove useful to your research, please visit our online collection database which is searchable by culture, geography, object type, and other selected criteria.


    If you would like to arrange a visit to view specific objects and/or related documentation, please contact Senior Collection Manager Russell Hartman at rhartman at calacademy dot org or (415) 379-5385.

  • Borrowing collection objects

    Objects from the Anthropology collections are available for loan to accredited institutions for public exhibitions and limited educational use. Please visit our online collection database to search for objects by culture, geography, object type, and other selected criteria.


    If you would like to arrange to borrow objects from the collections, contact Senior Collection Manager Russell Hartman at rhartman at calacademy dot org or (415) 379-5385. Final approval of any loan is at the discretion of the Collection Manager and/or Curator of the Department of Anthropology.

  • Publishing permission

    Requests for permission to publish are required in writing. Downloadable PDF forms are available for Permission to Publish Photographic Materials and for Permission to Publish Written Materials. Please print out the appropriate page, fill in all requested data, and send it to the address listed at the bottom of the form. For further assistance, please contact Senior Collection Manager Russell Hartman at rhartman at calacademy dot org or (415) 379-5385.

  • Donating objects

    The Department of Anthropology actively collects materials from the indigenous cultures of western North America (exclusive of Mexico) and the Pacific Rim, including all Pacific islands and East Asia. Select items from outside these areas may also be accessioned when they complement and enhance current holdings. The Department relies almost exclusively on donations to expand its collection. Although our collection is primarily composed of ethnographic materials, items from any time period may be considered. Objects retaining good provenance data are highly preferred. Acceptance of donations is at the discretion of the Collection Manager and Curator of the Department of Anthropology.


    If you are interesting in donating to the department, please contact Senior Collection Manager Russell Hartman at rhartman at calacademy dot org or (415) 379-5385.

  • Identifying objects

    Staff of the Department of Anthropology may be able to assist in identifying cultural affiliation, date of manufacture, material, and/or other aspects of anthropological items of types or from cultures with which we have expertise.


    If you have an object with which you believe we might be of assistance, please contact Senior Collection Manager Russell Hartman at rhartman at calacademy dot org or (415) 379-5385. For non-anthropological items, please contact the Academy’s Naturalist Center or the relevant Research department.

  • Appraising objects

    Professional standards prohibit Academy staff members from appraising items or from recommending an appraiser. Please locate a professional appraiser qualified in the area relevant to your item(s).

  • Online database

    The entire Anthropology collection database is available and searchable online, including digital images for more 90% of the collection. Electronic documentation and imaging of the remainder of the collection is an ongoing project.

  • Internships

    The Department of Anthropology accepts a limited number of interns in collections management. These internships are unpaid and usually count towards course credit. Positions fill quickly, often months in advance. For more information, please contact the department at (415) 379-5385 or email rhartman at calacademy dot org.

  • Volunteer opportunities

    The Department of Anthropology periodically has volunteer opportunities in collections management. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the Academy's Volunteer Department at (415) 379-5111 or via email at volunteer at calacademy dot org to request an application.