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The Museum of Anthropology curates archaeological and ethnological materials from most regions of the world, with especially strong holdings from North American archaeology. The diverse holdings include several important collections, including the Charles E. Grayson Collection of archery equipment, arguably the best ethnographic collection of such items in the world. The new Museum Support Center, a curation and conservation facility, was completed in 1994 and offers 20,000 square feet of temperature-and-humidity controlled space for the collections maintained by the museum.

The American Archaeology Division (AAD) serves as an archaeological training center for undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Anthropology. It provides outreach through its archaeological-site-files office, the Archaeological Survey of Missouri, and the Missouri Archaeological Society. The AAD is not a department but rather an umbrella for myriad New World archaeological activities conducted under the department. Its director, Prof. Michael O'Brien, and two research archaeologists (Wood and Pearsall) hold tenured positions in the department. The American Archaeology Division is the one of the leading research units in the state in terms of overall grant/contract income. Geographic locales where AAD personnel are now working include Missouri, South Dakota, and Ecuador.

The Anthropology Library in Swallow Hall is a student-run library that was founded and is sponsored by the Missouri Archaeological Society. Its holdings include numerous anthropological books and publications, many of which may not be available elsewhere on campus. It is staffed by a student assistant and volunteers (who are much needed and always welcome) and is available for student use during the academic year.

The Human Skeletal Remains Identification Laboratory provides an opportunity for training in skeletal biology and forensic anthropology. It contains most of the equipment needed to learn the histomorphometric analysis of the micro-structure of bone as well to make additional studies of skeletons. It is a major research facility which often is called upon to identify or describe unknown skeletons or bodies.

The Old World Archaeology Laboratory in Swallow Hall provides facilities and reference collections for studying the long prehistory of the Eastern Hemisphere. It is supplemented by the extensive collections at Ellis Library, which has one of the most outstanding collections of anthropological publications, especially of Old World prehistory, in the world.

The Palaeoethnobotany Laboratory situated in Switzler Hall is a leading facility for studying plant specimens associated with human beings. Macroscopic as well as microscopic studies are carried out there, but the main emphasis is on the analysis of phytoliths, microscopic plant silica bodies that preserve much better in the archaeological record than does pollen. Phytolith Database.

The Zooarchaeology Laboratory includes comparative skeletons of nearly 700 mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and mollusks of the Holarctic regions. The collection is used to help identify archaeological remains of animals and for teaching this process.

The Fossil Cast Collection housed in Swallow Hall includes more than 200 replicas of the most important fossil human ancestors. These casts are used in all levels of graduate and undergraduate teaching, and can be used by students in research or independent study.

The Archaeological Survey of Missouri (ASM) has as its goal the collection and preservation of information on all of Missouri's archaeological cultural resources. The role of the ASM includes educating the public about archaeological activities in Missouri and maintaining a data base of of nearly 30,000 archaeological sites from throughout the state. It is located in the Museum Support Center off Rock Quarry Road south of the campus.

The Missouri Archaeological Society (MAS) is a private learned society, but it has been associated with the University of Missouri since its inception in 1934. The present association has been codified since 1982. Although this association is primarily service-oriented, it serves in part as a publishing outlet for research conducted by student, professional, and amateur archaeologists. It is located in the Museum Support Center.

Missouri Tree-Ring Analysis Laboratory is part of the MU School of Natural Resources. Its equipment can be applied to dendrochronology since Missouri has the best tree ring record in North America outside of the Southwest. The facility is also used for monitoring climate and environmental quality. Its director is Dr. Richard Guyette.

The University of Missouri Research Reactor is located on the south side of the campus. It is one of the largest nuclear reactors in the U.S. and is devoted exclusively to research. Some of this research is anthropologically oriented, and two of its staff, Dr. Michael Glascock and Dr. Hector Neff, hold adjunct positions in the Department of Anthropology. The Archaeometry Laboratory located at the Reactor houses analytical equipment, computing facilities reference collections, and databases used for sourcing obsidian, pottery, chert, basalt, and other archaeological materials. Capabilities include neutron activation analysis, petrographic thin section analysis, and obsidian hydration dating.

Center for Studies in Oral Tradition serves as a focus for the study of oral lore, literature and accounts everywhere. It is under the direction of Prof. John Miles Foley, who has an adjunct appointment in Anthropology.