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'University of Adelaide and University of California Anthropological Expedition, 1952-1954.'

Archive Collections / Dr Norman Barnett Tindale / Series AA338/01 / 'University of Adelaide and University of California Anthropological Expedition, 1952-1954.'
'R: 18th expedition under auspices of Board for Anthropological Research, University of Adelaide and Univ of California at Los Angeles, 1952-4. Anthropological Field Notes on U.C.L.A. Anthrop Expedition, N.W. Australia - 1953. Norman B. Tindale. 1. 1953'.

This is the first of four volumes. The first two volumes (AA 338/1/19/1-2) describe Tindale's role in the expedition. The index for this volume is in Volume III (AA 338/1/19/3). The journal entries for this volume date from 18 October 1952 to 15 July 1953.

This volume is handwritten with annotations. Tindale recorded journal entries on the right-hand page leaving the left for annotations, drawings and so on. There is no page 692, only 692a.

This journal includes the following:

  • newspaper clippings and copies

  • correspondence

  • hand-drawn maps

  • black and white photographs

  • 1986 article by Wyrwoll et. al., entitled: 'The Great Sandy Desert of Northwestern Australia: the last 7000 years'

  • specimen drawings and notes

  • permit to enter reserves in Western Australia

  • copies from the journal

  • 1980 'Women's Weekly' article on the Pilbara region

  • Marble Bar chart

  • songs

  • place names

  • references to Reid's map

  • social organisation

  • Njamal, Kariara and Njangamarda stories



Vocabularies collected during this expedition are found in parallel in volume IV of the expedition journal and also inTindale's 'Australian Vocabularies gathered by Norman B Tindale, 1938-1963' (see AA 338/8/20).

Although the recording of genealogical data commenced in Koonibba, South Australia, the Tindale's did not meet up with the Birdsells (see AA 689) until Mount Margaret, Western Australia. Field stations included Devon Downs, Tartanga Island, Perth, Mount Margaret, Cookes Creek, Canning Stock Route, Jigalong, Marble Bar, Nullagine Rock Carvings, Bigge Island, Talga Talga, Moollyella, One Mile Camp, Five Mile Camp, Port Hedland, Pilgangoora, Twelve Mile, Kuli Kuli, Yandeyarra, Roebourne, Hamersley Tableland, Wittenoom, Mount Florance, Millstream, Two Mile Camp, Mount Welcome, Yarrie and Mandora.

The expedition party included Esther and Joseph Birdsell (Associate Professor of Anthropology at UCLA, see AA 689), Dorothy and Norman Tindale, Phillip Jud Epling (University student, UCLA).

Tindale Tribes: Baijungu; Bailgu; Binigura; Buruna; Inawongga; Indjibandi; Inggarda; Jadira; Jinigudira; Kambure; Kariara; Kartudjara; Keiadjara; Konejandi; Kurama; Maia; Mandara; Mandjildjara; Mangala; Mardudunera; Miwa; Nanda; Nangatadjara; Nangatara; Ngaluma; Nganguruku; Ngarkat; Ngarla; Ngarlawongga; Ngaro; Ngolibardu; Niabali; Njamal; Njangamarda; Noala; Pandjima; Peramangk; Pitjandjara; Potidjara; Talandji; Targari; Tjuroro; Walmadjari; Wanman; Worora; Wunambal.

Creator: Dr Norman Barnett Tindale
Control: AA 338/1/19/1
Date Range:  18 October, 1952  -  15 July, 1953
Quantity:  6.5cm,   1   buckram bound volume, 22.0x27.0cm, 703 pages with 5 loose items and 16 inserts
Formats: Newspaper Clippings, Newspaper Clippings, General Correspondence, Maps, Loose Photographic Prints, Photocopied Documents, Drawings
Series:  AA338/01
Tindale Tribes:
Baijungu, Bailgu, Binigura, Buruna, Inawongga, Indjibandi, Inggarda, Jadira, Jinigudira, Kambure, Kariara, Kartudjara, Keiadjara, Konejandi, Kurama, Maia, Mandara, Mandjildjara, Mangala, Mardudunera, Miwa, Nanda, Nangatadjara, Nangatara, Ngaluma, Nganguruku, Ngarkat, Ngarla, Ngarlawongga, Ngaro, Ngolibardu, Niabali, Njamal, Njangamarda, Noala, Pandjima, Peramangk, Pitjandjara, Potidjara, Talandji, Targari, Tjuroro, Walmadjari, Wanman, Worora, Wunambal