The Photo Archives contains approximately 284,000 images documenting the Colorado Plateau and the various research areas of the Museum of Northern Arizona starting in the 1930s. Primary subject matter includes prehistoric and historic Southwestern archaeology, ethnology of the Southwest, paleontology, geology, Museum history, botany, meteorology, museum artifacts, specimens, displays, and exhibits. Additional images document Southwestern and Arizona history and the ecology and environment of the Colorado Plateau.
The Photo Archives is divided into series and then into multiple subseries. Below you will find separate finding aids for each series and the finding aid for the entire Photo Archives collection can be found here.
Photo archive categories
Archaeology and Physical Anthropology (A)
Photographs containing miscellaneous archaeological specimens from unknown sites, maps, diagrams, reconstructions; photos relating to human biology.
View PublicationArchaeological Survey (NA)
Photographs which are associated with known numbered archaeological sites and show views before and after excavation, artifacts, plans, reconstructions, etc. All archaeological photographs are restricted for use to practicing and professional archaeologists or anthropologists. Archaeologists and anthropologists must have permission from the appropriate tribal entity prior to viewing photographs deemed culturally sensitive.
View PublicationCrafts and Arts (C)
Treasure Chest, 1934. C-20.2
Photographs showing art objects, painting, etc. except Native American arts which are placed under individual tribes in Ethnology. These photographs primarily document the Craftsmen Shows (now known as Heritage Festivals) at MNA.
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Dendrochronology (D)
Photographs documenting the study of tree ring dating and its use in the dating of archaeological sites.
View PublicationEthnology (E)
Photographs documenting Native Americans, Native American crafts, house, ceremonies, etc. and are classified by tribe name.
View PublicationEnvironmental Modification (EM)
Photographs documenting the environmental modification by man and/or economic development in the Southwest.
View PublicationGeology (G)
View PublicationGeography (Gg)
View PublicationMeteorology (M)
View PublicationNorthern Arizona Society of Science and Art (N)
Photographs of MNA buildings, permanent exhibits, staff, conferences, etc. (PDF)
View PublicationPetroglyphs (P)
Photographs of rock art taken around the Southwest in relation to MNA projects.
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