Archaeological Collections
Caring for Archaeological Collections
Virginia’s prehistoric and historic places span more than 16,000 years, from early Native American sites, colonial settlements, and Civil War battlegrounds, to special neighborhoods and significant buildings of the 20th century.
As the state repository for archaeological collections our mission is to care for the artifacts recovered from more than 850
archaeological sites which represent the rich past of Virginia. The Curation Facility at the Department of Historic Resources (DHR) meets the federal standards for the care of archaeological collections.
Stored in a temperature-and-humidity controlled environment, the collections are available for study, research, and exhibit.
The department’s Archaeological Collections Management Program encompasses artifact preservation, conservation, cataloging, long-term curation, exhibit services, and technical assistance. Among the services offered are conservation consultation, long-term curation agreements, and technical advice. Special arrangements can be made with the curator for loans to qualified institutions for research and exhibit. Contact Dee DeRoche, Chief Curator, phone: (804) 367-2323 ext. 134.
Educational programs administered by the program include class tours of the facility and collections, the ARK (Archaeology Resource Kit), which is available for teachers to use in the classroom, and the Teacher’s Guide to Virginia Archaeology available free of charge. For further information and scheduling, please contact Keith Egloff, phone: (804) 367-2323 ext.131; fax: (804) 367-2392.
Map & Directions
DHR Archaeology Programs Main Page
DHR State Collections Management Standards
The department’s Archaeological Collections Management Program encompasses artifact preservation, conservation, cataloging, long-term curation, exhibit services, and technical assistance. Among the services offered are conservation consultation, long-term curation agreements, and technical advice. Special arrangements can be made with the curator for loans to qualified institutions for research and exhibit. Contact Dee DeRoche, Chief Curator, phone: (804) 367-2323 ext. 134.
Educational programs administered by the program include class tours of the facility and collections, the ARK (Archaeology Resource Kit), which is available for teachers to use in the classroom, and the Teacher’s Guide to Virginia Archaeology available free of charge. For further information and scheduling, please contact Keith Egloff, phone: (804) 367-2323 ext.131; fax: (804) 367-2392.
Map & Directions
DHR Archaeology Programs Main Page
DHR State Collections Management Standards
Click Here to see 17th-century
armor artifacts.
Prehistoric artifacts.
Stone projectile points,
clay, and stone smoking pipes
17th-century silver
and-fiber clothing ornament
17th-century breastplate,
helmet, fencing foil, and cheekpiece
Cleaning an artifact under magnification in the DHR conservation laboratory
Study Collection drawers hold examples of artifact types organized by site.