UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPOSITORY AND CURATION FACILITY (UWAR)
 Located on the campus of the University of Wyoming in Laramie, the UWAR functions jointly under the Department of Anthropology, University of Wyoming, and the Office of the Wyoming State Archaeologist, Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources. The Department of Anthropology at the University of Wyoming has been an archaeological repository for over 50 years. Today the University of Wyoming Archaeological Repository (UWAR) is estimated to contain more than a million items from at least 25,000 sites found throughout the state, which represents the single largest assembly of archaeological materials anywhere in Wyoming. The University is a federally designated repository for archaeological collections recovered from Wyoming's public lands, which cover approximately half of the 97,014 square miles in the state. UWAR also houses extensive collections from state and private lands. These data have been, and continue to be, the basis for scholarly interpretations about human activity on the High Plains and Rocky Mountains that spans 11,500 years of occupation.
Archaeological research of existing collections is most efficiently performed when assemblages are properly organized and maintained at academic institutions. These collections represent material remains from prehistoric and early historic sites that are themselves fragile, nonrenewable resources. Once sites are excavated or destroyed, they are gone forever, except for the physical evidence and excavation records that were produced through formal, archaeological investigations. Artifacts, field notes, and provenience data must be kept in an organized manner that ensures their long term survival. As archaeologists in an academic setting, we are stewards of these resources and it is our professional responsibility to provide the best collections management possible to enhance their availability for scientific research.
COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES:
 The University of Wyoming Archaeological Repository only curates archaeological collections from Wyoming. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) establishes the relationship between the University of Wyoming and the State Archaeologist's Office, who administers the repository. The MOU is a part of the curation agreement which has stipulations and requirements for each contractor wanting to curate materials at the repository. To obtain a BLM collecting permit (necessary before curation at UWAR), contact the Wyoming Bureau of Land Management in Cheyenne, Wyoming at (307) 775-6108.
The repository is in the process of a box by box and item by item inventory of all archaeological collections stored at UWAR. It is estimated this project will take at least another three years. Once the project is completed, these data will be available on this web site for read only access with permission. We hope availability will help the researcher, and should reduce the time needed to look at the collections and associated records because most, if not all, of the information will be available on the web page before the researcher contacts the curation staff.
Conservation of the material and associated records stored at UWAR and how we can best access  the information is the ultimate goal of the inventory process. Shown here are box shelving areas before (right) and after (below) re-inventory.
UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING ARCHAEOLOGICAL REPOSITORY
COLLECTIONS PROCEDURES – SEPTEMBER 2002
A: Uninventoried collections are available for loan when one of the following conditions is met:
1: Requested uninventoried collection(s) will be fully inventoried by UWAR staff before the Borrower takes possession. Requests are handled on a first-come-first-served basis. OR
2: The Borrower agrees to curate according to UWAR’s current Guidelines and Standards (bag, tag, and box) each artifact he/she checks out from a collection. Collections cannot leave the Repository until curation of the loaned objects is complete and a paper copy inventory of each artifact is turned in to the curators. Work space and all curation materials (pens, tags, bags, and boxes) will be provided by UWAR. Requests are handled on a first-come-first-served basis.
B: All collection requests should be made as early as possible (at least 3 weeks in advance). Please do not expect a “same day” turnaround on collection requests. Each request will be handled on a first-come-first-served basis, meaning that earlier requests may need to be addressed first, as well as other official duties. C: All collection requests need to be submitted in writing (E-mail is fine). Initial telephone requests are welcome, but they should be followed by a brief written or e-mail request. D: Artifacts will not be loaned directly to students or visiting scholars without the additional signature of the anthropology faculty member who is most closely allied with the researcher. We ask that loan agreements be signed by the student, or scholar, and the project supervisor (thesis or dissertation committee chair, class instructor, faculty representative). In the case of visiting scholars where there is no allied faculty member on campus, that person’s signature and affiliation will suffice.
E: Please make UWAR aware of collections (including artifact cards) in your possession for which no specific loan papers exist. Collections falling under UWAR inventory responsibility are those originating from state and federal public lands, and other lands on which the state archaeologist has conducted investigations. If you wish to retain these collections rather than return them, please send us a brief written description of the relevant sites and assemblages so official loan papers can be sent to you. The assistant curator might contact you during the inventory process so we can schedule an inventory of these collections and return them to you.
To obtain a printed copy of the "Guidelines on Standards for Curation of Archaeological Material at UWAR", or if you have any questions about the facility, please contact Martha Rogers, Repository Curator at 1000 East University Avenue, Department 3431, Laramie, Wyoming 82071 or by phone (307) 766-3671 or fax (307) 766-4262. Contractors, click here to learn how to keep your fees lower. Click here to view the Final Fee Letter.
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