Anthropology collection adopts new name

Anthropology artifacts remain available to researchers

The Museum of Anthropology was renamed the Anthropological Research and Cultural Collections (ARCC) in July, based on recommendations from an advisory committee chaired by Mary Lee Hummert, associate vice provost for research.

A new mission statement was also adopted, one that underscores the need “to serve as a steward of archaeological and ethnographic cultural materials” while “encouraging the respectful use of cultural materials for teaching, research and practical training in collection care.”

The museum, in Spooner Hall, was closed to the public in 2002 because of state budget cuts. The permanent collections remain, however, and are available to faculty, students and others with active research interests. Mary Adair is interim director of the ARCC.

“ There was a need to clarify the status of the collections and describe an ongoing mission,” Hummert said. “The new name reflects the research focus of the ARCC, and the mission statement emphasizes what we hope to accomplish in the future with this wonderful resource.”

Besides Hummert, members of the advisory committee were John Hoopes, associate professor of anthropology; Brent Metz, director of Latin American studies; John Simmons, museum studies; Linda Stone-Ferrier, professor and chair of history of art; Michael Yellow Bird, director of Indigenous Nations studies; Peter Ukpokodu, professor and chair of African and African-American studies; and John Janzen, director and professor of anthropology. Bobbi Rahder of Indigenous Nations studies and Adair were ex officio members.

Hummert said ARCC will soon have an updated Web site, www.arcc.ku.edu, and new signs at Spooner Hall.