The William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology & Office of State Archaeology serves the University of Kentucky, the Commonwealth, and the broader scholarly community through anthropological research, archaeological records management, collections stewardship, public service, and education.
Together, the William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology and the Office of State Archaeology preserve and provide responsible access to collections, records, and information that help document Kentucky’s cultural heritage and the broader human story. The Museum cares for archaeological, ethnographic, archival, and documentary collections that support research, teaching, and public interpretation. OSA maintains Kentucky’s archaeological site records, supports compliance with the Kentucky Antiquities Act, and provides information and guidance to agencies, researchers, consultants, landowners, and members of the public.
As a public-facing service and research unit within the University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences, WSWMA & OSA connects the University’s land-grant mission with the long-term stewardship of cultural heritage. Our work supports responsible archaeological research, anthropological teaching and interpretation, informed planning and preservation, student training, and public understanding of the deep and diverse histories represented across the Commonwealth and beyond.
Although archaeology is currently the most visible part of our work, the Museum’s mission is grounded in the broader discipline of anthropology: the study of humans, past and present, through material culture, biology, history, society, culture, and human experience. As WSWMA grows, we aim to expand public resources, digital exhibits, and educational programming that reflect the full breadth of anthropology while continuing to serve as Kentucky’s central resource for archaeological stewardship.
Explore this section to learn more about our mission, history, staff, partnerships, news, and contact information.