Q: What are the Burke Museum Archaeology Collections?
A: For over a century, the Burke Museum has preserved cultural materials from the Pacific Rim, with an emphasis on the Pacific Northwest Coast of the Americas. The Archaeology Department has particular strengths in collections from Native American sites in Washington State, but also has collections from other parts of the Northwest United States and Alaska, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Mexico. We also have an extensive library and archives, access to Washington State site geographic databases and other information.
Q: What goes on in the Burke Museum Archaeology Department?
A:
Curation: Our collections now contain more than one million artifacts plus related documents, photographs, and maps. Our mission is to preserve these collections for future generations through documentation, cataloging, and careful storage. We also provide archaeological curation and research services for government agencies, Native American Tribes and cultural resource companies, and prepare materials for exhibition.
Research: With more than a million artifacts, ranging from soil samples to Clovis points, only a small percentage are ever displayed. However, Burke Museum archaeological collections are known worldwide, and they are used by researchers from within and outside of the University to investigate past Pacific Rim cultures. Our staff can help guide you through our collections; contact us for details.
Public Education: Our staff teaches courses on archaeological curation, and we offer research assistantships and internships to graduate and undergraduate students at UW. We also work with the Burke Education Department to offer a wide variety of K-12 educational activities (tours, summer camps, traveling study collections, and job shadows) and public programs (lectures, public excavations, and volunteer opportunities).
Q: What resources do you have for teachers?
A: We have developed a series of kits that assist educators in the challenge of teaching archaeology to elementary, middle, and high school students. Each kit contains hands-on curricula, teaching materials, and background information. They can be rented on a weekly basis for a small fee by contacting the Education Department at 206-543-5591 or e-mail at burked@u.washington.edu. The following kits are now available:
- What is Archaeology?
- Peopling of the Americas
- Archaeology of the West Point Site
- Ancient Writing
- Lewis and Clark at Fort Clatsop
Q: What do I do if I find an artifact on my property?
A: People accidentally find artifacts on their property when gardening or renovating homes. If this happens to you, your first step would be to record as much information as possible about where you found the artifact, including a sketch map showing depth and specific location on your property. Keep this information with the artifact—it adds to the research value of the item. If you live in Washington, call the Burke Museum to inform us about your find. You can also use the online form to record and submit the information.
Q: What should I do if there is a site on my property?
A: If there is an archaeological site on your property, there are a few things you can do. First, limit impacts to the site. Don't call attention to it or tell too many people about it. This decreases the chance of looting at the site. Second, report the site to the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. The site will be recorded and will add to the knowledge about the region. Inquire about incentives such as tax breaks that are available to landowners.
Q: What do I do if I find an artifact elsewhere?
A: If you happen to come across an artifact on a property other than your own, you should leave the artifact where it is. It is illegal to remove artifacts from land you do not own. If you'd like, you can record details about the artifact's location and physical appearance. If you have a camera, photograph the artifact. If the artifact was identified on State or Federal lands, you should contact the land manager or ask to speak to a cultural resources specialist. Your find may contribute greatly to our knowledge of the region! If the find seems especially significant, you can also contact the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation directly. They will provide you with further guidance.
Q: Who do I contact at the Burke Museum if I want to have an artifact looked at?
A: You can schedule an artifact identification appointment. Contact us at 206-685-3849 or archy@u.washington.edu. Be sure to bring your notes to the appointment. You can also fill out our online form. The more information we have, the more we can tell you about your artifact.
Q: How can I get an artifact authentication or appraisal?
A: The Burke Museum does not authenticate or appraise artifacts. We believe that assigning monetary value to artifacts contributes to the destruction of sites by those only interested in personal financial gain. The Burke Museum encourages donation of artifacts to public museums or repositories so that everyone may learn from and enjoy the region's cultural heritage.
Q: How do I know if what I found is an artifact?
A: Sometimes objects that appear to be artifacts are only "ecofacts" or objects formed naturally in the environment. There are certain attributes you can look for, however, to try and distinguish an artifact from an ecofact. For example, stone artifacts often retain evidence of having been ground or chipped. Your best bet would be to contact the Burke Museum to meet with a specialist for a firm identification. Remember, though, not to remove artifacts from State or Federal lands. In those cases, document the object and send or bring us your notes and photographs.
Q: What do I do if I find human remains?
A: If you inadvertently come across human remains on your property or elsewhere, stop your activities in the area immediately. It is against the law to knowingly disturb a pre-contact or historic burial. Contact the State Archaeologist at the Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation and local law enforcement. Human remains are not always prehistoric in origin and could be associated with a crime scene or historic burial. The proper officials will further direct you once you contact them.
Q: Who can I call if I want to donate an artifact collection?
A: Begin with your local museum, historical society, or tribal museum. They may accept the donation or may guide you to another more suitable facility. Museums cannot accept artifacts taken from land you do not own. If the artifact is from Federal or State land, contact the appropriate land managing agency (e.g., National Park Service, National Forests, etc.). Museum also cannot accept rock art or human remains. If you are interested in donating a collection to the Burke Museum, please contact the Archaeology Department at 206-685-3849.
Q: How can I become an archaeologist?
A:
There are many opportunities available to those interested in pursuing archaeology professionally or just to find out more about the discipline.
Summer Archaeology Camp: The Burke Museum offers a week-long summer class on archaeology for middle school students. Come learn the skills used by archaeologists in the field and laboratory.
Field Schools: The Archaeology Department provides information on how to apply for a field school, where you will be able to participate in a real archaeological dig. Field schools are typically open to college students, but there are some available to high school students. This is a great in-depth way to discover the world of archaeology. There are several field school listings available, including one organized by the Archaeological Institute of America.
Job Shadows: Junior and senior high school students learn what an archaeologist does at the Burke Museum by spending a morning or afternoon with us. You tour the Burke Museum Archaeology Department with an archaeologist and learn hands-on how to work with artifacts. Please call at least three weeks in advance to arrange your job shadow. Contact us at 206-685-3849 or archy@u.washington.edu.
Other Public Programs: The U.S. National Forest Service offers opportunities for all ages to participate in archaeology and cultural resource projects through their Passport In Time program. Projects range from restoring historic buildings to excavation of pre-contact and historic archaeological sites. In the summer of 2005 you can even apply to participate in an excavation in the Abruzzo Region of Italy!
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