Cognitive archaeology is a truly interdisciplinary field that applies the theories and methods of several academic domains (cognitive psychology, neuropsychology, archaeology, linguistics, philosophy of mind, philosophy of consciousness, etc.) to the tangible evidence for human evolution—non-human primate anatomy and behavior, human neuroanatomy, hominin paleontology, and archaeology.

It studies the origins and adaptive purposes of such cognitive processes and capabilities as concept formation, spatial cognition, social cognition, language, symbolic structures, and working memory.

The facility was established in 1998 in Dwire Hall to act as a repository for the archaeological research and collecting of the faculty of the Department of Anthropology at UCCS. The Department and curation facility were temporarily moved to Ulrich House in 2006 as the University remodeled Dwire Hall and Centennial Hall.

The remodel of Centennial Hall included the creation of a professional quality curation facility with climate control and a dry fire suppression system. The move to the new facility housed in Centennial Hall took place in 2010.

The Seyhan Dwelis Curation Facility is an approved repository that can accept state and federal collections. There is a two-step process for creating curation agreements with the Seyhan Dewlis Curation Facility.

The first step involves drafting a letter of intent to curate between the firm or agency and the campus. The letter of intent is valid for two years. It also requires a $100 administrative fee that is deducted from the first box fee if/when collections are deposited. The second step is only required if the firm/agency deposits materials with the Curation Facility.

If the project deposits materials, the campus must create a Memorandum of Agreement. This document locks in the ability to deposit materials without further agreements, the terms of curation, and the fees for 5 years. For information related to our repository requirements, draft letter of intent, and current fees see the appropriate link below:

• Draft Letter of Intent to Curate
• Repository Requirements 
• Repository Fees 

The collections are available for research to faculty, students, and qualified professionals, or other individuals engaged in research as well as to tribal representatives.

Please allow at least a 3-week notice for access requests.

To find out more about the collections housed in the curation facility, or access to those collections please contact the Curator of Anthropology, Dr. Karin Larkin at klarkin@uccs.edu

Please note that summer hours are limited due to field projects and other staff limitations.