Try contacting the folks (including Professor Barry Reynolds) at the
Material Culture Unit of James Cook University in Townsville, Australia.
When I was there in 1989 working on my Graduate Diploma of Museum
Curatorship, I examined the components of a Maori feather cape in the Unit's
collections.  The Unit's holdings include ethnographic artifacts from
throughout the South Pacific, and the staff there can undoubtedly point you
in the right direction for your study.  Good luck!

Mary Jane Taylor
Division of Research and Interpretation
Wintethur Museum
Winterthur, DE 19735


-----Original Message-----
From: Jennifer Barker [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, September 03, 2001 9:40 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: ID of Museum artefacts


Hello
I have just started my PhD and am investigating the possibility of
identifying the botanical material used in the construction of Aboriginal
artefacts held in Museum collections in Australia.  For example, this might
include identifying the plant species used to construct spears, shields,
bark containers etc.

I am having trouble finding references to similar studies, particularly
those that relate to the identification of Museum ethnographic artefacts
rather than, say, plant material from an archaeological site.  Can anyone
forward me any references or refer me to any people who may work in this
area, either in Australia or elsewhere?

I would also be interested in references relating to the faunal analysis of
museum ethnographic specimens e.g. ornaments (feathers and shells), strings
(fur and sinews), skins and bone etc.

Regards
Jenny Barker

Adelaide University
South Australia

[log in to unmask]

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