Anthropological Museum, Port Blair Andaman

Visitor Information:

The Zonal Anthropological Museum in Port Blair is one of the most visited places in the town. Maintained by the Anthropological Survey of India, this museum has in exhibits the tribal life and culture of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is one of the most well maintained museums in Andaman, which throws a light on the rich heritage of the indigenous tribes and communities of the Island and let people from across the world to learn more about them.

History of Anthropological Museum

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are one of the world's most important anthropological sites. The Anthropological Museum of Port Blair was formed in 1975-1976. Andaman and Nicobar Islands have six indigenous tribal communities, four Negrito tribes of Andaman and two Mongoloid tribes of Nicobar. The Negrito tribes include the Jarawas, Sentinelese, Great Andamanese, and Onges. The Mongloid tribes include the Nicobarese and Shompens. Most of these tribes are hunters by occupation and do not have any contact with outsiders.

For tourists to visit any tribal area on the Island, special permission from the Government is required. These tribes are even among the oldest tribes of the world. The Museum is a historical delight for its visitors providing them with an opportunity to explore the Paleolithic Islanders. The museum put in the exhibits of the primordial eras of the tribes.

Architecture of Anthropological Museum

The whole building of the museum is painted in light and dark blue color to give a feel of the island. The front wall of the building is painted with drawings showcasing the tribal communities.

Things to do in Anthropological Museum

• If you are in the Anthropological museum, what you need to do is have a complete tour of the museum. A complete tour will take around 1 hour. The museum has in display tools and weapons used by these tribes, different items showing the history of the island.
• Short films and documentaries : The museum also occasionally organizes documentaries, and short films for the visitors focusing on the lives, customs and cultures of the tribe.
• Souvenir shop : There is a well maintained souvenir shopon the premises of the museum with various collections of informative and interesting books and journals on the life and culture of the tribes, the history of the archipelago and more.

Traveller Tips to visiting Anthropological Museum

If you are visiting the museum, the following tips might come quite handy:

• Carry your ID cards that also have your address.
• Carry your medicines and first aid kit.
• Do not forget to carry your water bottle and some snacks for refreshment.
• Be careful towards the exhibits and not touch any item of display.

Entry Fee of Anthropological Museum

The entry fee for the Anthropological Museum is Rs. 10 for adults and Rs. 5 for children.

Visiting Time of Anthropological Museum

The visiting time of the museum is from 09:00 AM to 01.00 PM and 01.30 PM to 04.30 PM. It remains closed on Monday and all the Government holidays.

How to Reach Anthropological Museum

• Anthropological Museum is located on the MG Road in Port Blair. So, to reach the destination, tourists can take a bus or auto rickshaw from anywhere in the city.
• If you are visiting by bus, it is situated at a distance of just 1km from the bus stand, which is just a 10 minutes walk away.
• If you are reaching the city by any other means, then you will easily get a taxi, bus, auto rickshaw from anywhere in the city. It is situated at a distance of 2.2 km from the Port Blair Airport.

Best Time to Visit Anthropological Museum

If you are an off shore tourist, then the best time to visit the archipelago is from November to March when the weather is pleasant. You can plan a visit to the museum along with other tourist spots in the islands. If you are a local resident, you can plan your visit anytime during the year except on holidays.

Nearby Attractions in Anthropological Museum

There are various beautiful attractions located nearby Anthropological Museum. You should definitely try to visit the following:

• Samudrika Museum : Samudrika Naval Marine Museum is also known by the name Fisheries Museum. The museum’s exhibits focus mainly on the islands’ ecosystem, flora and fauna, tribal communities and marine life. This museum also has a small aquarium on it premises.The aquarium has various collections of fishes, corals, and shells. The entrance has on exhibit a skeleton of a blue whale.
• Kala Pani Museum : The Kalapani Museum is a jewel box of the Island’s history during the pre-independence era. The museum has on display various dioramas, pictures, original documents, diaries, registers, stories and newspapers about the island of the pre-independence era.
• Cellular Jail : One of the most deadly jails in the history of India that is known for its atrocities and sacrifices. This jail was used as a place to punish the revolutionaries who fought against the British for India’s independence. It was once one of the largest prisons in Asia.
• Corbyn’s Cove : Corbyn’s Cove beach is picturesque beach blessed with pristine blue seawater and luxuriant coconut plantations. Besides enjoying nature’s miraculous creations, this beach is great for indulging in water activities like swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
• Chidya Tapu : Chidyatapu is a mesmerizing trekking destination and bird watching spot in Andaman, which is enclosed with thick and dense mangrove vegetation. It is a heaven for bird lovers as one can spot more than hundreds of different species of bird on the island.
• Forest Museum : The Forest museum located inside the Chatham Saw Mill displays artifacts made from different woods like timber, satin, Padauk, etc. Woodcraft is an important part of Andaman’s culture. The museum also has a mini zoo and a zoological garden inside its premises.