THE MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY

The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) regularly hosts undergraduate practicals in archaeology and for other departments, and teaches MPhil courses in museum Archaeology and Anthropology.

Archaeology and Anthropology are ways of knowing people, past and present. The Museum cares for one of the most important collections of its kind in the UK. Many of the objects are highly personal, representing the acts, beliefs and creativity of different peoples at crucial points of life: birth, sex, death and feasting.

The collections at MAA range over nearly two million years of human history, on every part of the inhabited world. The oldest object is a 1.8 million year old stone tool from Olduvai Gorge, whist the newest are made by contemporary artists. Archaeological, anthropological and photographic collections are enhanced through collaboration with local and Indigenous communities. MAA is particularly known for its innovative exhibitions that draw contemporary issues into dialogue with the historic collections.