The William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology cares for archival, photographic, and digital materials that document archaeological and anthropological research, Museum collections, fieldwork, exhibits, institutional history, and collections stewardship.
These materials provide essential context for understanding the Museum’s collections. Objects and artifacts are most valuable when they are preserved with the records that explain where, how, why, and by whom they were collected, documented, studied, or interpreted. Archival and documentary materials help preserve that context for future research, teaching, exhibits, and public interpretation.
Materials may include field notes, excavation records, maps, site plans, photographs, slides, negatives, contact sheets, catalogs, inventories, accession records, correspondence, project reports, teaching materials, exhibit documentation, digital images, databases, and other records associated with archaeological and anthropological work.
Photographic materials may document fieldwork, landscapes, artifacts, museum displays, laboratory work, staff and students, research projects, and the history of archaeology and anthropology at the University of Kentucky. In some cases, photographs and associated documentation are essential for understanding collections that have been reorganized, reanalyzed, or revisited by later researchers.
The Museum is also working to expand digital access to selected collections information, images, records, and interpretive resources. Digital collections initiatives may support research, teaching, collections management, public engagement, and long-term preservation. Future digital resources may include online exhibits, selected collection images, educational resources, digitized records, databases, 3D models, or other tools that help users learn about the Museum’s holdings.
Digital access does not mean unrestricted public access. Some materials may be appropriate for public digital exhibits or educational resources, while others may only be available to approved researchers or may not be available digitally at this time.
Museum Archives and OSA Records
Some archival and documentary materials are managed through the Museum’s collections access process, while official archaeological site records are maintained by the Office of State Archaeology.
Researchers seeking Museum collection records, field notes, photographs, maps, accession documentation, project files, or historical Museum documentation may begin with the Collections Access Requests process.
Requests for official archaeological site records, archaeological site forms, CRM reports, GIS-based records reviews, project-area checks, or access to the OSA archaeological site files should be submitted through the Office of State Archaeology’s Records Reviews or OSA Library Access procedures.
If you are unsure which process applies to your request, please contact WSWMA & OSA and staff will help direct you to the appropriate access pathway.
Access and Stewardship Considerations
Some archival, photographic, and digital materials may include sensitive archaeological site information, restricted collection records, donor-related information, unpublished research, culturally sensitive content, copyright restrictions, or materials that require additional review before access, photography, publication, reproduction, or public display can be approved.
Researchers should not assume that all records, images, or digital materials are available for public use. Access is reviewed based on the nature of the materials, proposed use, documentation status, legal or ethical considerations, staff capacity, and stewardship responsibilities.
Image Use and Credit Line
Requests involving photography, digitization, publication, exhibits, websites, media use, or other reproduction may require additional review and approval. Permission to view collections or records does not automatically include permission to publish, distribute, or reproduce images.
Unless otherwise directed, approved use of collection images should include the following credit line:
From the Collection of the William S. Webb Museum of Anthropology, University of Kentucky
Request Access
Researchers, students, instructors, agencies, and other qualified users may request access to archival, photographic, or digital materials for approved research, teaching, exhibit, publication, or professional purposes.
Please visit the Collections Access Requests page to review the access process and submit a request.