Our Mission

The Cotsen Institute of Archaeology at UCLA is a premier research organization dedicated to the creation, dissemination, and conservation of archaeological knowledge and heritage. The Cotsen Institute is home to both the Interdepartmental Archaeology Program and the UCLA/Getty Program in Archaeological and Ethnographic Conservation. It provides a forum for innovative faculty research, graduate education, and public programs at UCLA in an effort to have a positive influence on the academic, local and global communities. The Cotsen Institute is at the forefront of archaeological research, education, conservation and publication and is an active contributor to interdisciplinary research at UCLA.

We seek to change the social context in which archaeological research and training is conducted through the promotion of interdisciplinary research and global collaborations. Our faculty, students and research associates are involved in ongoing field projects that include the development of local archaeological site museums, international student exchanges, training of national scholars, and partnerships with local communities across the globe. We envision that through this type of archaeological practice we will advance the development of a truly global archaeology.