Research & Collections
Visiting the Museum for Object Identifications
Identification Protocols
Museum curators and other staff members are happy to assist with object identifications in their respective areas of expertise. Museum staff members primarily identify items in these specific areas of staff expertise: eastern U.S. archaeology, paleoethnobotany, malacology, Egytology, and decorative arts. At their discretion, staff may agree to examine other types of objects such as fossils and ethnographic items from other cultures, or may arrange or recommend other university scholars to examine such objects.
Object identifications
Basic identifications of objects are provided to the best of staff abilities and knowledge. Museum staff will not provide authentication or appraisal of an object's monetary value or condition. Information about such appraisals as well as information about caring for many kinds of objects can be found via this link to a Smithsonian Institution web page.
Individuals with archaeological artifacts or questions about archaeology may also find this webpage of interest.
Appointments
Please call the Museum to schedule appointments for object identifications: (865) 974-2144. Please understand that staff members’ work often takes them outside of the museum building. Some also work part-time or are away at certain times of the year. As a result, walk-ins for object identifications may well be disappointed. Please also limit the number of objects to those that can be examined in an hour or less.
Arriving at the Museum
Please find a map and directions to the Museum, as well as parking instructions, via links on the Museum’s home page. Upon arrival, inquire at the front desk for the location of the office of the staff member who is to help you. If you find that you will be unavoidably late (more than 1/2 hour), please call to inform the staff member: (865) 974-2144.