Services and Forms
For a collection delivery, please email collections@sandiegoarchaeology.org or call 760-291-0370 to make an appointment and request an invoice. All cultural resources, artifacts, and ecofacts associated with the collection, associated documents, accession fee (if applicable), and conveyance documentation must accompany the collection unless other arrangements have been made in advance.
DROP OFF IS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
| San Diego Archaeological Center Curation Fees 2026-2027 | |
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Accession fee for collections and documents packaged in accordance with the Center’s recommended Collection Preparation Guidelines
(One-time fee, Center assumes title to collections) |
$1,500 per box* $375 for quarter box** $500/cubic foot per oversized item $150 collections processing fee (includes NAGPRA assessment) |
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Revitalization (bringing collections that are lacking inventory, labels, etc. up to 36 CFR Part 79 standards) |
$250 per box |
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NAGPRA assessment only |
$150 per box |
| Curated collections (curated under 5-year, renewable curation contracts) | Contact Center Collections Manager for contract rates |
*A box is a standard 15″ x 12″ x 10″ archival storage box, 30-pound weight limit.
**Quarter box pricing includes the 6 quart 4.875” x 8.25” x 13.625” archival shoebox for artifact storage, and document boxes containing archival materials related to the collection in either 15.25” x 10.25” x 2-1/2” and 15.25” x 10.25” x 5” size Metal Edge archival boxes.
The San Diego Archaeological Center (SDAC) houses many archaeological collections from San Diego County adjacent regions. The SDAC provides state and federally approved curation facilities for archaeological collections and related archival documentation that is mandated by various pieces of federal legislation and regulation 36 CFR Part 79.
The SDAC is equipped with over 5,000 square feet of vault space that allow us to provide long-term curation and care for a wide range of archaeological materials, including artifacts, ecofacts, maps, photographs, site records, and other cultural resources. Our curation facility meets or exceeds standards established in regulation 36 CFR Part 79.
In addition, we partner with local colleges and universities to provide a setting for internships and students interested in archaeology. Our experienced staff has expertise in local, regional, and national collections management policies and practices.
A certain degree of standardization in collection preparation, cataloging, packaging, and organization is necessary to preserve collections, facilitate future research, and maintain inventory control. It is not the goal of the SDAC to dictate research design, field methodology, or laboratory procedures to cultural resource management companies, but to work hand-in-hand with procedures already in practice while meeting the above standards.
Curatorial and Exhibition Services
The SDAC maintains archaeological collections in accordance with “The Curation of Federally-Owned and Administered Archaeological Collections” (36 CFR Part 79), State of California Resources Agency’s 1993 Guidelines for the Curation of Archaeological Collections, the National Park Service Museum Handbook, Part I, Museum Collections, culturally-affiliated and descendant community advice, professional museum and archival practices, and any other relevant and appropriate recommendations as to the care of archaeological collections, library, and archives in order to prevent degradation of collections by human or environmental factors.
Notice of Deficiencies
All collections will be inspected at SDAC when they arrive. Collections that do not meet the minimum curation standards will be held in a temporary status at the SDAC and a Notice of Deficiencies letter will be issued to the owner of the collections or to the culture resource management firm. Deficient collections may be returned to the owner or delivering company if deficiencies are not resolved within thirty days.
Collection Preparation Guidelines
The SDAC has a strict policy when accessioning new collections or entering into curation contracts. New collections delivered to the SDAC must contain a site report, master catalog, information about inadvertent discoveries, a list of deaccessioned items with supplementary documentation, and conveyance documents. View the Collections Preparation Guidelines, which contains everything you need to know to make your archaeological collections curation-ready.
Curation Supplies: The San Diego Archaeological Center has archival-quality supplies available for purchase. We can purchase many items in large quantities and are happy to pass the cost savings on to you. Please let us know if there are any additional items you would like us to carry. Download the Curation Supply Form.
For collection delivery, please email collections@sandiegoarchaeology.org or call 760-291-0370 to make an appointment and request an invoice. All cultural resources, artifacts, and ecofacts associated with the collection, associated documents, accession fee (if applicable), and conveyance documentation must accompany the collection unless other arrangements have been made in advance.
DROP OFF IS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
Conveyance Documents
Required Collection Documentation
Accession Agreement – Use this form when you are submitting a collection for curation and the owner is transferring ownership to the Center.
Curation Agreement – Use this form when the collection owner is retaining ownership of the collection.
Transfer Agreement – Use this form when the collection is from a Federal or governmental agency.
Receipt of Collections – Print this form on your company letterhead and include it with your collection upon delivery.
Forms revised 08/2026
Product Vendors
A listing of vendors providing archival-quality curation products at reasonable prices by email at collections@sandiegoarchaeology.org.
For more information about SDAC Collections, contact collections staff at collections@sandiegoarchaeology.org.