About Us

Cornell’s Department of Anthropology is one of the most respected programs in the world with a long tradition of innovation and a legacy of leadership in the discipline. The work of its faculty traces the human career from the emergence of the species to the contemporary global moment.

Explore Our Department

Collections History of the Department Faculty

Collections

The Anthropology Collections include approximately 20,000 items representing human activity around the world from the Lower Paleolithic to the present. Archaeological and ethnographic materials are about equally represented.

Located in 150 McGraw Hall, part of the original University Museum, the Collections are primarily a teaching and research tool and are not open to the public but can be visited by appointment by individuals and groups. Classes of up to 20 students can easily arrange sessions in the Collections to work with particular materials; many items can be signed out by faculty for use in their classes when a full visit to the Collections is not warranted. Click here for more information on the Anthropology Collections.

Professor Lori Khatchadourian with a student at a dig site

A long tradition of research and learning

The Cornell Department of Anthropology, as a separate entity, was formed in 1962. However, anthropology has been practiced at Cornell nearly from the founding of the university.

The department history page details our rich past, including the first century, the Cornell totem pole and the cross-cultural methodology project.

Upcoming Events

See all events

Anthropology News

Congratulations to our 2023 Graduates

5/25/2023

Congratulations and best wishes!

Featured Anthropology Major: Bianca Garcia '23

5/19/2023

"This degree has spoken to every part of myself that I’ve ever been proud of and uncovered parts that I’ve since grown to love."

Einaudi seed grants finding fertile soil

5/15/2023

Faculty from six colleges across Cornell tackle issues ranging from the health of endangered wild dogs to the spread of misinformation through social media.

$2.5M in A&S New Frontier Grants supports bold projects

5/17/2023

A&S faculty members will delve into questions ranging from quantum computing to foreign policy development and from heritage forensics to effects of climate change.

Nexus Scholars Program expands research opportunities to 101 students

5/15/2023

This summer, 101 students in the College of Arts and Sciences will take part in groundbreaking research on campus with 61 faculty as part of the Nexus Scholars Program.