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Anthropology

Find resources and conduct research in anthropology via the University Library.

What is a Primary Source?

CSUN Special Collections and Archives

Special Collections & Archives is home to CSUN's rare book and periodical collections, as well as its archival and manuscript collections. Archival and manuscript collections can consist of many different kinds of materials, including correspondence, diaries, maps, university records, organizational records, photographs, and audio or video recordings. See Special Collections and Archives for more information about starting your research in Special Collections and Archives.

Find Data

Library databases:

Around the web:

Find Archival Materials

  • ArchiveGrid
    ​Includes "over four million records describing archival materials, bringing together information about historical documents, personal papers, family histories, and more."
  • CALISPHERE 
  • Calisphere provides free access to unique and historically important California related artifacts for research, teaching, and curious exploration. Discover over one million photographs, documents, letters, artwork, diaries, oral histories, films, advertisements, musical recordings, and more.
  • CSUN Special Collections & Archives 
    Special Collections & Archives is the home of CSUN's rare book and periodical collections, as well as its archival and manuscript collections. Archival and manuscript collections can consist of many different kinds of materials, including correspondence, diaries, maps, university records, organizational records, photographs, and audio or video recordings.
  • Directory of Anthropological Archives Ordered by Institution
    From the Council for the Preservation of Anthropological Records (CoPAR), includes lists of archives, websites about anthropologists, and resources for anthropologists.
  • Guide to Anthropological Fieldnotes and Manuscripts in Archival Repositories
    Also from CoPAR, "this continually revised guide provides the location of more than 850 collections of ethnographic fieldnotes and manuscripts in non-Smithsonian archives."
  • Map Collection at the CSUN University Library 
    The University Library Map Collection at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) holds a research-level collection of approximately 400,000 historical and government maps, aerial photographs, atlases, and geospatial data that support research on campus. 
  • National Anthropological Archives (Smithsonian)
    "Collect[s] and preserve[s] historical and contemporary anthropological materials that document the world's cultures and the history of anthropology."
  • Online Archive of California (OAC)
    Provides descriptions of primary source collections (artwork, manuscripts, papers, historic photographs, etc.) maintained by more than 200 libraries, special collections, archives, historical societies and museums throughout California.

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