The collection contains major archaeological finds from the site of the Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Barrington, Cambridgeshire.
The museum holds a significant number of items collected by Alfred Cort Haddon during the 1898 Torres Strait Expedition.
It houses a massive collection of photographs and film archives documenting colonial-era encounters and traditional practices.
The museum features a prominent display of totem poles from the Haida people of the Pacific Northwest.
It manages the extensive archives of the Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, which was established in 1884.
The Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) in Cambridge houses a world-class collection of nearly one million ethnographic and archaeological items. Located on the University of Cambridge campus, it integrates global cultural history with local British archaeology spanning from the prehistoric to the medieval periods. The collection is particularly notable for its significant holdings from the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and the Arctic. Several items were collected during the voyages of Captain James Cook in the late 18th century. The museum serves both as a public space and a research facility for the University’s Department of Archaeology. It is housed within a purpose-built gallery space on Downing Street that dates back to the early 20th century. Interactive displays often focus on the intersection of modern global issues and historical human migration. It remains an active hub for curators and academics, frequently hosting specialized temporary exhibitions.
The main entrance hall with its towering totems and architectural character.
Check the museum's online calendar for rotating temporary exhibits that frequently highlight specific regions of the world.
Use the available research desks if you intend to study specific artifacts or archival material in depth.
Visit the ground floor first to understand the layout, which is organized by broad geographical and chronological themes.
Assuming all galleries are open at once, as the museum frequently rotates sections of its massive collection for conservation purposes.
Closed on Mondays.
Maintain a quiet volume and do not touch artifacts unless explicitly marked for tactile interaction.
