Human Relations Area Files

At Unlimited Priorities we get to meet with a lot of different organizations. Last week, we had the opportunity to meet with Human Relations Area Files, or HRAF as it is known to its members.

HRAF is an internationally recognized organization in the field of cultural anthropology. In the 1930s, behavioral scientists started to develop a classification of cultural information by subject, providing quick access to research materials. HRAF grew out of these efforts. It was founded in 1949 as a not-for-profit membership consortium of universities, colleges, and research institutions. Its mission is to provide information that facilitates the cross-cultural study of human behavior, society and culture.

Today HRAF has two electronic collections, eHRAF World Cultures and eHRAF Archaeology, available online to members of its consortium.