Archeology Collections
The Archeology Office of the Kansas State Historical Society (KSHS) curates prehistoric and historic archeological specimens from donations, for other state and federal agencies, and materials recovered at KSHS-sponsored archeological research projects. The resulting collection is one of the largest and most comprehensive material cultural collections from the Kansas region as it documents more than 10,000 years of human occupation in the central plains.
- Collections introduction
- Archaic period
- Early Ceramic period
- Middle Ceramic period
- Late Ceramic period
- Petroglyphs
- Fort collections
- Missions collections
- Farms and Ranches collections
KSHS also has more limited ethnographic collections from the region. These materials are available for study by qualified individuals on a case-by-case basis. Our unpublished archeological records and artifacts from numerous archeological excavations have proven to be a valuable resource for masters and doctoral thesis research.
A listing of available research topics, with specific site collections identified, can be obtained by contacting 785-272-8681, ext. 240.
The Kansas State Historical Society Cultural Resources Division will accept archeological materials for curation provided they follow certain Standards for the Curation of Archeological Materials. Individuals, institutions, organizations or agencies wishing to curate materials at KSHS must contact us before submitting materials. Professional Archeologists wanting more information regarding the curation of archeological materials should go to Archeology Curation Standards.
