Collections
The ASOR archive holds over a century of records. This list represents materials that have been, or are in the process of being organized and described. Check back often to see newly-processed collections.
Finding aids and selected digitized materials are now also available at DCommon, Boston University's digital respository.
Coll. 001. American Schools of Oriental Research Newsletter Collection
This collection contains a full run of the ASOR Newsletters from 1939-1995. The newsletters contain information about ASOR projects, events such as annual meetings and conferences, fundraising efforts, grant awards, and administrative announcements. Finding Aid
Coll. 002. William Foxwell Albright Papers
This collection contains the materials generated by William F. Albright during his ASOR presidency. The collection spans from 1936-1964, and includes materials from Albright's ASOR presidency. It includes a significant amount of correspondence with other archaeologists and ASOR colleagues regarding research, excavations, new archaeological methods, and logistical aspects of publishing ASOR bulletins, journals, scholarly papers and monographs. Finding Aid
Coll. 003. Ancient Manuscripts Committee Collection
The Ancient Manuscripts Committee was originally founded as the Dead Sea Scrolls Committee. The majority of the collection is correspondence regarding the study, publication rights, and preservation of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the funding of the Committee. The records date from 1963 to 1981. Finding Aid
Coll. 004. American Palestine Exploration Society Photograph Collection
The Tancrede Dumas Photograph Collection contains photographs of archaeological sites in Palestine and Lebanon. The photographs were taken during the 1875 expedition of the American Palestine Exploration Society. Finding Aid
Coll. 006. Board of Trustees Collection
The Board of Trustees Collection contains board meeting minutes from 1921-1989.
Coll. 007. Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research Collection
The BASOR Collection contains early volumes of the Bulletin, as well as original photographs, article submissions, and other materials published in the Bulletin. The materials date from 1919-1974. Finding Aid
Coll. 008. Committee on Archaeological Policy Records
The CAP Records document the committee's activities, such as providing funding and support to affiliated researchers. This collection has not yet been processed.
Coll. 009. American Schools of Oriental Research in Jerusalem Records, held at the Archaeological Institute of America
ASOR began as a subcommittee of the AIA, and ASOR's earliest records are held there. A detailed guide to the ASOR records is being compiled. The materials date from 1900 to the early 1920s. Finding Aid
Coll. 010. Nelson Glueck Papers
The Nelson Glueck Papers contain the professional correspondence, diaries, and photographs of this eminent biblical archaeologist. Materials in the collection date from the early 1930s to 2008. Finding Aid
Coll. 011. A. Henry Detweiler Papers
The A. Henry Detweiler Papers document Detweiler's years as ASOR president. The collection also contains Detweiler's sketchbooks from the 1934 ASOR excavation at Jerash. The presidential records are unprocessed. The sketchbooks have been digitized.
Coll. 012. Carl Kraeling Papers
The Kraeling Papers document Kraeling's years as ASOR president. The collection primarily contains correspondence with ASOR colleagues and archaeologists. Kraeling supported the continued study of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and encouraged humanitarian awareness for Near Eastern refugees during a turbulent period in the area’s history. The records span from 1947 to 1955. Finding Aid
Coll. 013. Tell el-Kheleifeh Excavation Records
The Tell el-Kheleifeh Excavation Records document the ASOR excavation directed by Nelson Glueck from 1938 to 1940. The records include level books, artifact registries, excavation diaries, and photographs.This collection is being processed.
Coll. 014. Khirbet et-Tannur Excavation Records
The Khirbet et-Tannur Excavation Records document the 1938 excavation of a Nabataean temple. The excavation was directed by Nelson Glueck. The collection includes level books, excavation diaries, artifacts, and photographs. The collection is being processed. A finding aid for the document portion of the collection is available. Finding Aid
Coll. 015. Edmund Irwin Gordon Papers
This collection documents the life and career of Edmund Gordon. Gordon was a scholar of Near Eastern languages. He served in WWII as a signal intelligence specialist, and later studied at the ASOR Jerusalem School. The collection spans 1934-1984. Finding Aid
Coll. 018. G. Ernest Wright Papers
The G. Ernest Wright Papers span from 1957-1972. The collection primarily contains correspondence documenting ASOR administration, the founding of the journal Biblical Archaeologist, Wright's participation in the Shechem excavation, and his service as visiting archaeological director of Hebrew Union College. Wright was elected ASOR president in 1965, and worked with the organization until his death in 1974. Finding Aid
Coll. 019. Diban Excavation Records
This collection documents the excavation of Diban in Jordan by Frederick V. Winnett from 1950-1965. The collection contains photographs, correspondence, and artifacts registries. Finding Aid
Coll. 020. Clarence Fisher Papers
This collection primarily documents Fisher's academic and professional life. The collection contains his exhaustive pottery corpus, writings, architectural and artifact sketches, correspondence, creative writing, and excavation diaries. The bulk of the materials pertain to the analysis of Near Eastern pottery. The materials date from 1859-1957. Finding Aid
Coll. 021. Issawiya Tomb Excavation Records
This collection documents the excavation of a Herodian tomb discovered underneath a field on the hillock of Ras el Jami in Issawiya, a neighborhood of Jerusalem just north of Mount Scopus. The collection contains photographs and journals, and a diary kept by Carl Graesser. The collection spans 1970-1995. Finding Aid