The Museum of Anthropology FREE to all ages and open Tuesday through Friday, 10am - 4pm and Saturday - Sunday, 12pm - 4pm. We are CLOSED on Monday.

The Museum’s off-display collections and American Archaeology Division collections are located in storage at the Museum Support Center which is available by APPOINTMENT ONLY. Appointments must be made at least 2 weeks in advance. Email our MSC curator for scheduling: boldtj@missouri.edu.

No. We are a completely separate museum, though for the past several years we have been delighted to be in the same building as MAA. They are located directly across the hall from us in our new Ellis Library location.

Yes. We encourage Museum visitors to take photos and share their experiences with others -- no flashes may be used and images may only be for private use. Photographs cannot be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed or otherwise commercially exploited in any way. Videotaping with small, personal recording devices is also allowed for non-commercial use. See our filming request policies for professional filming.

To protect our visitors and the objects in our museum, the Museum of Anthropology prohibits the use of tripods, monopods, or selfie sticks in all our museum spaces.

Phones and tablets are both allowed in the museum, however, to respect all visitors, we ask ringers to be silenced and phone calls to be made and taken outside the museum.

Yes. We encourage people to do work in the galleries, but only dry materials (pencils) may be used.

There is a cafe located on the ground floor of Ellis Library that reached by exiting the museum through the library entrance and turning left towards the elevators. The hallway to the cafe winds around a few corners before reaching the coffee and treats at the other end. 

No. To protect the objects on display, chewing gum, food, and drinks are not permitted in any of the galleries. You may leave them in the lockers provided by the family restroom.

Access to the Museum of Anthropology library is through appointment only. Books are available for reading and researching on site only and are not available for check out. All books in the library can be found through the MU Libraries search engine. The library is housed at the Museum Support Center.

Yes. The Museum of Anthropology’s gift shop is part of the Museum Store, located next to the Lowry Mall entrance and across from the main office. 

No. The Museum does not purchase any objects, collections, or archaeological materials.

It is against our museum ethics policy to buy archaeological material, ancient or historical objects, and collections containing such, due to such activity contributing to the looting of archaeological sites and the destruction of cultural heritage both in the United States and globally:

• Looting destroys the archaeological context of artifacts and removes them from their legitimate owners. Looting also leads to the desecration of graves and sites that are sacred to Native Americans and other descendant groups. 
• The 1970 UNESCO convention on cultural property enforces guidelines to prevent illegal import and export of ancient objects from abroad. 
• The trade in antiquities has historically been used to fuel international conflicts and wars.
• Looting marginalizes modern peoples around the world.
• The global antiquities trade has raised questions about the dubious provenance of many artifacts in museums and private collections worldwide. 

Archaeologists and museums have a responsibility to help stop looting and the commercial market that drives it.

What if the artifact is from my private land?

If you find an artifact on private land, you should:

• Remember where it was found
• Draw a map of the area
• Take it to an archaeologist to identify and record the area it was found in

If you find an artifact on public land or on state land, you are required by law to leave it where it is and, if applicable, report it to the park ranger. 

We accept both monetary and material/object donations.

Private giving is essential to the Museum of Anthropology's ability to succeed and provide for the future and we want to thank alumni and friends for the roles they play in furthering our mission to broaden the understanding of human behavior, past and present, through research, interpretation, and preservation of ethnographic and archaeological materials.

Cash or check donations may be made in person in the museum office (Mizzou North, Room 2002) or placed in the donation box inside the museum (Mizzou North, 2nd Floor East Wing).  To donate remotely, or via credit or debit card, you may click here: Give Now . Please be sure to note that the donation is for the Museum of Anthropology in the Gift Instructions box.

Planned giving via large gifts, endowments, or bequests may be arranged through the University of Missouri's Office of Advancement. If a donor wishes to remain anonymous, we will honor that request to the extent allowed by law. MU's Donor Bill of Rights outlines our commitment to confidentiality and the importance of the trust our donors place in us. By publicly recognizing donors, we believe we will motivate others to join their peers in supporting the Museum of Anthropology. For additional questions concerning planned giving, contact Donor Relations.

Object donations must be evaluated for their relevance to our collection on a case-by-case basis. If you are interested in donating an object to the museum collections, please visit our Acquisition Guidelines for the Donation of Objects page.

Additional questions and further inquires about making a donation, may be sent to our email: anthromuseum@missouri.edu.

You should clarify your own personal tax opportunities with the IRS and obtain appraisal information by contacting a licensed appraiser.