Maxwell Museum of Anthropology

First off, there is reserved parking for museum guests on the west side of the building (on a small drive off Redondo West Drive). Parking permits are available at the museum gift shop. The entrance to the museum is on the south side. While the exhibit is about anthropology in general, the focus on pre-Columbian Native American culture. The highlight is a simulated archaeological dig site. There are numerous artifacts including a very informative pottery display and a section on petroglyphs. There's also an excellent section on human evolution with skull casts and a life-sized model of Au. afarensis.

Definitely worth the trip! For one thing, it's free. For another, after exploring history and science museums in 9 or 10 states now this is my favorite, tied with the Natural History Museum also there in Albuquerque. Both of them have their own pros and cons but this one is a smaller and thus easier to get through and it's free. My least favorite part is rather particular to me. I don't like being told I can't take pictures and there's a place upstairs where you're asked not to without explanation. If there's something I can't do that I can do elsewhere I like to at least we told why. Did the bits are carefully and thoughtfully laid out with a clear history unfolding. You see how the ancient homes in the Southwest evolved, how pottery and ropes evolved. You see how camps were laid out. That one helped my imagination the most. It wasn't at all what I expected. You see a replica of an actual dig site! That was exciting too. There's also a huge exhibit of all sorts of baskets. I wish I'd had more time to study them. The ingenuity of basket weaving amazes me. To think all you're doing is taking some basic fibers and wrapping or folding them around each other and somehow creating a three-dimensional object. It's like origami on a whole other level. Origami done with what's left after the paper shredder. Incredible! But Lucy stole the show. Lucy has been my favorite hominid since I was young. She's a famous specimen of the Australopithecus afarensis species. I could write pages about that encounter alone and there was much more than her in that exhibit but for now I'll just say -- go. See it for yourself! It's free so you have nothing to lose and your chances of it being a great experience are very, very, high.

This is a fantastic museum. The special exhibit on Milton Snow’s Depression era photos was fantastic, educational and illuminating. The permanent exhibit is also outstanding. Smithsonian level quality. You go, UNM!

I was very intrigued when I first heard about this museum. The exhibits were really interesting and very informative. I thought the exhibit with the makeshift archeological set up very interesting as I've always had a soft spot for archeology. I also enjoyed the early man exhibit. While it was small, there really was alot to learn. I look forward to going back after their new exhibit is set up.

Such a nice little museum! I loved checking it out while in town, so much cool information and exhibits

Great museum. The displays on local Pueblo culture was more interesting than that of generic human history even though this was intriguing as well. I was most fascinated seeing the rocks and arrowheads, almost exactly similar to ones my father had collected up north in Montana. There is a large amount of pottery; amazing to see the intricate designs and shapes; equal to or more impressive than pottery from other parts of the world at the same time (but somehow these get labeled as 'prehistoric'...all you can do is LOL at how dismissive academia can be of Indigenous culture at times). Overall a great way to spend an hour or so, located right on UNM campus, which is also good for a walking tour to see the unique architecture. There was no admission other than being asked politely to sign your name in their guest book. Students work and run most aspects of the museum, go and give them your support.

For a smaller free museum, this was a great experience. The staff was very friendly (especially the director of public events) and there was even some free refreshments and pictures. I'm a history nerd and truly enjoyed the overview of New Mexican archeology and the reproduction of an actual archeological dig.

I really wanted to come by during the balloon festival so I can see new Mexico's culture and history. I learned a lot looking around and even got some keep sakes and thoroughly enjoyed my experience with my family.

I have always wanted to check out this place and hand a chance today. It's not big but has some great exhibits and the staff is very friendly. It very informative love what they had.

I had never visited the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology before, but I'm glad I did today. I was pleasantly surprised to find out how many interesting things I learned! There was a good exhibit on how anthropologists and archaeologists work together to learn about the past, an extensive look at Pueblo history, a really nice exhibit on Native American basketry, and a special exhibit on the museum's cuneiform tablets. I especially appreciated the emphasis on respecting Native American cultures and learning that they are working with tribes on returning some of their collection, as well as removing items from exhibit that are used in religious ceremonies. The museum is located on UNM's campus, so we took advantage of the free weekend parking.

Maxwell Museum is one of Albuquerque's free museum with lots to see. Lower level has gallery on the wolves, like their skin display. Also, a room with a Pueblo display. The gallery if prehistoric man is interesting with life size human and their tools. Upstairs are the potteries and more info. Worth checking out.

As far as museums dedicated to anthropology, this is as good as it gets. It's right up there with the anthro museum at UBC in Vancouver, Canada. The museum offers a wonderful opportunity to learn not only about archaeology, but also about human evolution. Yes, it's possible to go to a natural history museum and see some hairy models and get a general impression of human evolution. But the Maxwell Museum takes it a step further. They have exhibits on some things that we wouldn't traditionally think about, like how over time, the shape of our skulls and muscles for chewing have grown or shrunk, indicating what types of foods we most likely ate tens of thousands of years ago. Other exhibits showed the evolution of our hands and feet, and explained bipedalism in great detail. While small, the museum packs in a lot of information. The upstairs exhibits focus on regional Native American tribes and show how life was like hundreds of years ago, before the arrival of Europeans. The museum is free, so the least you'd get is an appreciation for anthropology. Parking is also free with a permit they give you, so check out this gem of anthropology and of Albuquerque when you get a chance!

Excellent in depth presentation of native American Pueblo chronology. Left after two hours due to wild elementary class field trip taking over this gem of a museum.

I have a deep love of Anthropology and I also wiled away hours as a work study here, a long long time ago in a galaxy far far away. If you want to understand Anthropology and the evolution of the human species, this is a great place. They also have another permanent exhibit on People of the Southwest, which is really informative also. They regularly have shows that come through for a shorter time and it's a wonderful place to bring visitors who are interested in the Southwest and the Native Cultures.

This place made such an impression on me when I was a kid. I went here in elementary school to discover a world both near and far and to view the way humans live through an anthropological telescope. I was nonetheless fascinated with the life of ancient humans. How they lived? What they did? I also was fascinated with what a university education meant-- I imagined long hours painstakingly researching the sciences and the arts. This is not the field museum - it is the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology-- this holds a special place in my memories.

It's free, shows you cool anthropology stuff, Native cultures, and they have a special exhibit on my people. Good for kids and adults, there's stuff to touch. Chinese pottery to come.