Gray and white pottery found in the Mesa Verde collection, Mesa Verde National Park, USA.

The two million object collection at Mesa Verde National Park is an integral part of the park's resources and is valuable for the information it provides about processes, events, and interactions among cultures, individuals, and the environment. Natural specimens, cultural objects, and the associated records provide baseline data which serves as scientific and historical documentation of the park's resources and purpose.

The Mesa Verde collection is large and varied. The great majority of objects are archeological and were excavated from sites throughout the park. There are also southwest ethnographic and historical objects, and biological, geological, and paleontological specimens. A new responsibility for the Curatorial Program was added last February when the Research Library was moved from Interpretation to Research and Resource Management. Generally, the maintenance and care of a collection includes accessioning of incoming material, identification of objects, cataloging and documentation, entering catalog information into a database, proper storage and exhibit of objects using archival materials, monitoring environmental conditions, conservation of deteriorating or damaged objects, performing an annual inventory, maintaining object loan records, fabrication and/or rehab of exhibits, and assisting researchers. In recent years, emphasis has been placed on cataloging the backlog of objects and entering all the catalog data into the Automated National Catalog System (ANCS). This backlog includes not only cultural objects and natural specimens, but also maps, plans, field notes, photographs, correspondence, and park administrative records. Organization, documentation, and automation is necessary in order for the collections to be accessible. Accessibility is vital if the collections are ever to reach full potential as a resource for research and interpretation. Presently, the documentation of only 100,000+ objects and specimens (or 10% of the collection) has been entered into the computer database. Interaction with Native American groups that claim ancestral ties to the Mesa Verde area began last September when the park hosted its first consultation meeting. Hopefully, the information gained from the interaction of Native Americans and park staff will be used to better manage the park's resources, will be used to enrich the interpretative program, and will assist with the inventory of human remains and associated funerary objects.

Text imported from http://www.mesaverde.org/mvnp/pages/curation.html

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