CAG on museums: The Cambridge Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology

Grizzly totem pole, with Japanese armor in the background

On a rare sunny English day, I did what all sane people would do and stopped by the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA) while I was in Cambridge for a visit. I think what I love most about the museum is that despite the fact that it hasn’t been open for quite a while and some major (and worth a visit!) renovations have gone on downstairs, the upstairs anthropology and archaeology exhibitions are still in the same Victorian style they always were.

Alfred Haddon photograph, group of young girls SE Asia

Mexican Day of the Dead sugar skull, collected by American anthropologist
Frederick Starr 1890s

There was actually a sign in the beginning of the first floor gallery that welcomed visitors and mentioned the upcoming renovations that would be occurring to the historic exhibitions. I asked some of the staff working that day about these plans, but I was not able to come up with any conclusive information about the nature of the renovations other than the style would kept similar to the current case styles with renewed interpretation.

View of the anthropology floor

1900s Zulu and Xhosa beadwork

The overall feel of the museum is reminiscent of the Pitt Rivers Museum display which is also undergoing a refresh of case interpretation, while keeping to the similar style. One of the main benefits of going to the MAA is the ability to really scrutinize some of the larger freestanding statues. Many show how at the time that many of these objects were collected, the cross cultural moments were also reflected in the materials used that intermingled with traditional craftsmanship.

Late 19^th century canoe figurehead from Borneo,
with porcelain teacups for eyes and European metal

Solomon Islands feasting bowls

There are also quite a few hidden treasures that demand you really look in the cases at some of the smaller items on display. I really like the children’s games and dolls in the Canadian case. The female doll below is also carrying a baby on her back that you can just see the face of hidden within her sealskin hood.

Spinning top and bird scapula used for the ring and pin game

Definitely an anthropologist's paradise!