Etienne B. Renaud Papers

Collection

Identifier: M015

Staff Only

Etienne B. Renaud (1880-1973) served as a faculty member of University of Denver Department of Anthropology from 1920-1948. Renaud influenced archeaological survey methods describing one of the first attempts at systematic excavation in the American Southwest. In 1929 he directed a field expedition for the Colorado Museum of Natural History. He conducted archaeological surveys of the American plains area including Eastern Colorado, 1930-1933; Eastern Wyoming, 1931; Western Nebraska, 1933; Northeast New Mexico, 1934-1935; Southern Wyoming, 1935-1939; and Southern Colorado, 1940-1943. Renaud deposited artifacts from his field expeditions in the University of Denver Anthropology Museum. His papers contain field notes, archaeological survey manuscripts with original sketched site maps and artifact drawings, photographs, maps, journal articles, newspaper clippings, and microfilm.

Dates

1916-1965

Creator

Renaud, E. B. (Etienne Bernardeau), b. 1880 (Person)

Language of Materials

These materials are primarily in English with some materials in French.

Extent

8 Linear Feet (5 record boxes, one flat box, one legal document box, 1 map box)

Additional Description

Scope and Contents

The papers contain Renaud's original field notes; archaeological survey manuscripts with sketched site maps and artifact drawings; reports from the Archaeological Survey of the High Western Plains; maps; microfilm; photographs of Egypt and Central America; newspaper clippings and journal articles about early civilization, prehistoric figurines, and the cultures of the western High Plains.

Biographical / Historical

Professor of Anthropology Etienne B. Renaud (1880-1973) began working as a lecturer in Anthropology at the University of Denver in 1920 and remained a faculty member until his retirement in 1948. He was the first professional archaeologist to make a systematic study of eastern Colorado. In the summer of 1929, Renaud directed a field expedition for the Colorado Museum of Natural History (now the Denver Museum of Nature and Science). He then proceeded with other archaeological surveys of the western High Plains. His archaeology reports were supported not only by the University of Denver, but also by the Smithsonian Institution. After his retirement, he continued to travel, write papers, and give lectures. The collection reflects Renaud's influence on archaeological survey methods, showing one of the first attempts at systematic excavations ever made in the western High Plains. Renaud was instrumental in the development of the Anthropology Department at the University of Denver, becoming its first full professor in 1924. When the Mary Reed Building was built in 1932, Renaud designed the space for the Museum of Anthropology. Many of the artifacts collected during Renaud's archaeological fieldwork are part of the museum's collection. Renaud was a forerunner in the field of archaeology in the Rocky Mountain Region, and contributed greatly to the field as a whole. He influenced many students and colleagues, writing approximately 125 articles for American and European publications on archaeology, craniometry, linguistics, and Native American religion.

Arrangement

The papers are arranged into 15 series:

Correspondence, 1927-1965
Field Notes, 1921-1941
Article Notes and Manuscripts, 1926-1939
Articles by Renaud, 1925-1960
Reports and Surveys by Renaud, 1931-1947
Articles citing Renaud, 1943
Articles about Renaud, 1921-1936
Publications Authored by Others, 1922-1963
Photographs, 1923-1937
Negatives, undated
Postcards, 1937, undated
Maps and Travel Information, 1916-1952
European Cave Drawings, undated
Ephemera, undated
Printing plates, undated

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of the E.B. Renaud Estate, 1973. Gift of Roy Bartee II, 2006. Gift of Club Sevigne, 2006.

Accruals

Accrual to collection received from the University of Denver Museum of Anthropology, 2013 October 10. Materials included microfiche of field notes and several printing plates.