Cultures of Asia
The Field Museum has a long history of research in Southeast and East Asia. It started with the 1893 World's Columbian Exhibition, which highlighted the richness of Asian cultures. Dedicated curators such as renowned sinologist Berthold Laufer (1874–1934) were responsible for many of the items that make up the collections from China. Today, Curator Gary Feinman continues this important tradition by directing a collaborative research project in China that explores the emergence of early complex societies in the Shandong region.
Use of the Collection
Some items in the Field Museum collections are available to loan for exhibition, research, or education in support of our mission: fighting climate change, preserving biodiversity, celebrating cultures, and championing science.
Research and Collaboration
The Field Museum has a long history of research and institutional collaboration with a wide variety of Asian groups. Starting with the World's Columbian Exhibition, which featured people and objects from Asia, through the work of several curators in the Department of Anthropology, such asBerthold Laufer (1874-1934), curator of Asian Anthropology from 1908 to 1934, was a pioneer in the study of Asian cultures. Today, Curator Gary Feinman currently directs a collaborative research project in China that explores the emergence of early complex societies in the Shandong region.
Learn about other collections from Asia
