Photographs relating to University of Adelaide and University of California Anthropological Expedition, Australia, 1952 - 1954.

Archive Collections / Dr Norman Barnett Tindale / Series AA338/05 / Photographs relating to University of Adelaide and University of California Anthropological Expedition, Australia, 1952 - 1954.
Supplementary to 'University of Adelaide and University of California Anthropological Expedition, 1952-1954.' (AA 338/1/19/1 - 4).

Item AA 338/5/19 includes two volumes of photographic material that is supplementary to Norman Barnett Tindale's four volumes of journal / field notes about 'University of Adelaide and University of California Anthropological Expedition, 1952-1954' (AA 338/1/19/1-4). The expedition was organised by the Board for Anthropological Research (BAR) and the expedition party members were: Esther and Joseph Birdsell (Associate Professor of Anthropology, University of California), Dorothy and Norman Tindale, and Mr Phillip Jud Epling (American University student).

The images predominantly appear in the format of b/w photographic prints. However, one b/w acetate negative, one coloured slide and a few coloured photographs are included. The photographs are depicting traditional tools and weapons production; food preparation and some landscape features. Vol. 2 contains images relating to ceremonial activities restricted to men only. Considering the length of the expedition, and depth of studies that were undertaken during that time, remarkably few photographs relating to this journey have been identified. This suggests that further identification of relevant photographs will be required from
Tindale's unsorted photographic material. See also related collections: Board for Anthropological Research (see AA 346) and Joseph Benjamin Birdsell (see AA 689). There are copies of a motion picture (AA 346/9/16) concerning this expedition available in the South Australian Museum Archives.

Please note Tindale's abbreviations: NWA, N.W.A. (North Western Australia); NSW (New South Wales); WA. (Western Australia); Vic (Victoria); pubn (publication); orig (original); neg. (negative); prop (property); orig (original); Pic (picture); Aust Nat Hist. (Australian Natural History); Fig. (figure); UCLA Antrhop. Exp. (University of California Los Angeles Anthropological Expedition); Ck. (Creek); Stn (station).

The detailed list of the University of California Los Angeles Expedition photographs is as follows:

Vol. 1, photographs 1 - 20

  1. NWA fishing with net of grass & brushes N.W.A. photographer unknown period 1914. Original in possession of Mr Edgar Pretty 117a Pall Mall Bendigo Vic for pubn. NBT.'
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale. An alternative annotation: 'Marble Bar natives fishing with piles of grass. E Pretty 117 a Pall Mall Bendigo neg. Returned to Mr E Pretty July 1941'. A copy of this photograph is attached to page ii of Tindale's journal AA 338/1/19/1.



  2. 'Pressure flaking spear blades Djaru man working & Kitja man watching Moolabulla NWA N B Tindale 1953 from Kodachrome original'.
    Three b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale. Alternative annotations: 'Djaru tribesman pressure flaking at Moolabulla 1953 N. B. Tindale photo see cine film' and 'Djaru man making spear blades by pressure flaking Moolabulla NWA 1953'.



  3. 'Djaru man pressing a Kimberley Point Moolabulla NWA N B Tindale photo original is a Kodachrome mirror imaged print '.
    One b/w photographic print annotated by Tindale.




  4. 'Kitja man pressing Kimberley spearhead Moolabulla N B Tindale photo NWA 1953 original is a Kodachrome'.
    Three b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale. An alternative annotation: 'Kitja man pressure flaking using a wooden presser N B Tindale photo Moolabulla NWA 1953'.



  5. 'Close up of Djaru man pressing off flakes from spear blade Moolabulla NWA 1953 N B Tindale photo'.
    Three b/w photographic print and one acetated negative annotated by Tindale. Alternative annotations: 'Djaru man pressure flaking a blade Moolabulla NWA N B Tindale photo 1953 from Kodachrome original'; Moolabulla NSW pressure flaking N B T 1953' and 'Djaru man pressure flaking Moolabulla N B Tindale from Kodachrome original'.



  6. 'Mirror imaged print Pressure flaking Kitja Tribe Moolabulla WA. 1953 N B Tindale original is a Kodachrome'.
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.



  7. 'Mirror imaged photo Kitja man pressure flaking blade Moolabulla WA 1953 N B Tindale photo, from the Kodachrome original'.
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.



  8. 'Kitja man at Moolabulla demonstrates spear handling N B Tindale 1953 original is a Kodachrome'.
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale. An alternative annotation: 'Moolabulla WA. 1953 N B Tindale photo Kitja man demonstrates stalking with spear[,] copy of a Kodachrome'.



  9. 'NWA 1953'.
    An image of an elderly man, sitting on the ground and apparently engaged in food preparation (kangaroo). One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.



  10. 'Cossid grub Moolabulla, WA. 1953 N. B. Tindale photo original is a Kodachrome to be published in Tribes book'.
    One coloured and one b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale. An alternative annotation: 'Cossid larva from Eucalyptus tree Moolabulla 1953 N. B. Tindale photo original a Kodachrome.



  11. 'Baobab tree used as jail in olden days Darby N.W.A. 24 Aug 1953 N B Tindale copy for Kodachrome no negatives available but positive colour in journal OK.'.
    One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale and unknown source. Further annotation by unknown source: 'Orig colour transparency prop. Of Mr N. Tindale'.



  12. 'Cemetery Plains between Broome & Derby NWA N. B. Tindale photo 14 Aug. 1953'.
    One coloured and one b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale. Further annotation on the coloured print by unknown source: 'Pic No. 5 Aust Nat History June issue 4" wide'. The coloured print was mounted on card containing the following caption: 'Fig. [not indicated] Termite dominated plain showing devastation of Triodia grass cover in the pindan sand-sheet country north of Broome, Western Australia the socalled Cemetery Plains in the territory of the Warwa tribe'.



  13. 'Termite mound out from Derby NWA. 24 Aug. 1953 N B Tindale photo'.
    One coloured photographic print, annotated by Tindale. Further annotation by unknown source: 'Aust Nat Hist. June issue 2 5/8" wide x 3 1/8" deep MF at B. Pic No. 4. This photographic print was mounted on card containing the following caption: 'Fig. [not indicated] Eucalyptus papuana trees in the hot semi-arid sclerophyll forest east of Derby, Western Australia. The termite mound stands three meters high. Territory of Njikena tribe.'.



  14. 'Fig. [not indicated] Tall karri trees (Eucalyptus diversifolia) in warm humid rain forest near Nornalup, Western Australia. Territory of Minang tribe (alternative photo available)'.
    One coloured photographic print that was mounted on card containing the above caption. No further annotations.



  15. 'U.C.L.A. Anthrop. Exp. Hall Ck. N.W.A. Oct. 1953 N B Tindale photo'.
    One coloured slide, annotated by Tindale.



  16. 'NWA 1953'.
    An image of Country Race meeting, North West Australia.
    One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.



  17. 'Mt Olga D. E. Symon June 1953'.
    An image of a rock with painted or possible engraved circular markings. One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale. (Photograph by D. E. Symon?).



  18. 'WOLF CREEK METEOR CRATER. N.W. WEST AUST. Dr. F. Reeves'.
    One b/w photographic print, annotated by unknown source. (Photograph used by Tindale for his research?).



  19. 'Aerial view of Ayers Rock Donated by Owner of Erldunda Stn to G. F. Gunn [?] & W. A. Cassidy 1953.'.
    One b/w photographic print, annotated by unknown source.



  20. 'Boys at Batavia Range Nth. Q. see diary p 102'.
    One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.


    Vol. 2, photographs 21 - 22



  21. 22. THESE ITEMS ARE RESTRICTED.
    (Photographs relating to men's ceremonies)

    1. 'NWA fishing with grass brush [illegible]'
      b/w print from lantern slide annotated by Tindale







Tindale Tribes: Djaru; Kitja; Minang; Warwa; Njikena.

CreatorDr Norman Barnett Tindale
ControlAA 338/5/19
Date Range1952  -  1954
Quantity 9cm,   2   Albox folders
FormatsPhotographic Film Negatives, Loose Photographic Prints
Series AA338/05