Emergency Life Support for Vulnerable Collections: A Collections Management Case Study on the Anderson Collection

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Many Voices in the Repository: Community-Based Collections Work" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

This presentation discusses a detailed case study on the Anderson Collection, a large collection of Indigenous artifacts gathered by an amateur archaeologist. This collection, now under the care of the Tennessee Division of Archaeology (TDOA), offers a unique lens to explore issues of collections management, emergency intake, and the broader implications of amateur archaeological contributions.

Through an interdisciplinary approach that includes heritage legislation, ethics, and decolonized practices, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the intersection between current changes in the curation of Indigenous collections, avocational archaeology, and professional standards. The narrative of the Anderson Collection highlights the urgent need for policies that ensure the preservation, ethical treatment, and sensitive use of archaeological collections. By framing collections care in emergency medical terminology, the paper underscores the critical and ongoing attention required to maintain the integrity and research potential of such collections.

The findings advocate for a collaborative approach that prioritizes Indigenous voices, includes community stakeholders, and aligns with modern movements towards decolonizing archaeology and cultural heritage management. The concluding recommendations aim to enhance transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in the curation process, ultimately contributing to the field’s evolving understanding of ethical stewardship and public engagement with archaeological collections.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 90th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2025)   •
• Many Voices in the Repository: Community-Based Collections Work

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 51968