ABSTRACT
One gets the impression that generally the anthropologist shunned historic objects. Some of the trade objects recovered by unsympathetic archaeologists found their way into museum collections, where they are to be seen, but often the meager data that accompanies them lend but little to any definitive understanding. Extensive collections of historic objects already were on hand in all of the areas, and in some instances notable additions to the collections were acquired through excavations after the museum program was started. Dr. Frank Setzler of the National Museum asked for the establishment of standards in identifying historic objects. Generally the release constituted applause for the successful birth of a new discipline and a new national interest in history. A variety of reasons have been advanced for the failure of the academic historians to give hearty support to “antiquarianism.” Since 1958 Harvard has shaped a course of training, and Professor Anthony Garvan of the University of Pennsylvania initiated one on material culture.
