Museum of Anthropology

Purpose: Supporting Lifelong Learning William S. Webb conducted archaeological work throughout Kentucky from the 1920s until his retirement in 1957. Under Webb's direction, Works Progress Administration (WPA) labor crews conducted this work on an unprecedented scale during the Great Depression, concentrating mainly on two areas: the Green River archaic shell mounds in west-central Kentucky and the Adena mound sites in the bluegrass region. This work resulted in a collection of more than 70,000 artifacts and 20 reports. These materials form the core of the museum's collection and are its most requested research materials; however, the paper-based catalog and poor storage conditions inhibit their use. In this project, the museum will computerize the 60,000 artifacts on the card catalog for access over the Internet, reorganize the artifacts in archival-quality packaging, produce two booklets for a general audience summarizing the archaeological significance of the material, and create two companion guides for formal and informal educators to use with the booklets and the online database. This project will greatly enhance the accessibility of the materials for researchers and educators; inform the public about Kentucky's rich and diverse cultural heritage; and ensure that the materials are preserved for future generations.