A long tradition of innovation and a legacy of leadership in the discipline

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 the basement of Olin Library (161 Ho Plaza), the Collections are open for visitors during the term on Mondays from 1-4 PM and by appointment on a first-come, first-served basis to classes and members of the public, including school groups. Contact curator Alison Rittershaus at akr73@cornell.edu in order to set up a visit that connects the collections with your group’s interests and learning goals. Rotating exhibit cases that showcase student research and Collections highlights are located outside of the Collaboratory and available to visit during Olin Library opening hours. 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.