California Academy of Science Anthropology CollectionThe permanent research collection of the Department of Anthropology consists of more than 16,000 objects, most of which are ethnographic. These pieces originate from around the globe, documenting the diversity of human cultures and the ways in which we humans have adapted to Earth's varying environments. Current strengths of the collection are holdings from the U.S. Southwest and the Pacific Islands, and basketry from California. The Department actively collects material of the indigenous cultures of western North America (exclusive of Mexico) and of the Pacific Rim, including all Pacific islands, Australia and East Asia. Earlier years of collecting have yielded both ethnographic and archaeological materials from East Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Central and South America.