Collections
The Western Australian Museum has over 4.4 million objects and artefacts in our collections. Our collection artefacts range from shipwreck sites to insect specimens, and from pre-solar system aged diamonds to children’s toys from the 19th century.
In this section, we have published a selection of our collections from within all of our research departments. Each collection includes its provenance and why the Museum has decided to perform research in this area, images from the collection, and also a selection of highlights or interesting features.
Archaeology collection
The Archaeology Collection from the Anthropology and Archaeology department focuses on Western Australian Aboriginal archaeological...
- Clam shell tools
- Photo by Alice Beale
- Image copyright of WA Museum
Crawford collection - West Kimberley images 1961-1993
Former staff member Ian Crawford was the Western Australian Museum’s first Curator of Anthropology & Archaeology, appointed in 1961. Between...
- Dugout canoe
- Photo by Ian Crawford
- Image copyright of WA Museum
view the Crawford collection - West Kimberley images 1961-1993 collection
Aboriginal cultures collection
The representation of Western Australian Aboriginal cultures has been a significant focus of the Museum since its inception in 1892. The early...
- Bark Bucket
- Photo by Ross Chadwick
- Image copyright of WA Museum
Indigenous cultures and the Ancient World
The Anthropology and Archaeology department Indigenous cultures and the Ancient World collection, formerly known as the ...
- Necklace
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of WA Museum
view the Indigenous cultures and the Ancient World collection
Ancient Egyptian collection
As part of the 19th century belief that the Ancient Worlds were a window into the past, and also that a display of ancient objects reflected a...
- Mummified snake
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of WA Museum
Anthropology and Archaeology - introduction
This page introduces the Anthropology and Archaeology department, outlining types of objects, artefacts held, and the research areas the...
- Stone Flakes
- Photo by Alice Beale
- Image copyright of WA Museum
view the Anthropology and Archaeology - introduction collection