New Guinea locals standing on a porch.

Excavating MacGregor

Re-connecting a colonial museum collection

Awakening interest in a highly significant collection of late 19th century objects from Papua New Guinea.

About the project

Sensing the impacts of colonisation, the first Administrator of British New Guinea, William MacGregor, made a significant collection of objects between 1888 and 1898, specifically for its future citizens. This comprehensive legacy of 13,000 objects did not remain in the country but was dispersed to three Australian and six overseas museums.

Our aim is to re-assemble and re-connect this material by 'excavating' its private and official components. This research will focus on the makers and traders to disentangle the social relationships embedded in the objects. Using material-centred, assemblage-based archaeological approaches, we will investigate how indigenous groups used objects to negotiate with the new colonial government.

Investigators

Dr Annie Clarke, Lead Investigator, University of Sydney
Dr Jude Philp, Chief Investigator, University of Sydney
Dr Robin Torrence, Partner Investigator, Australian Museum
Chantal Knowles, Partner Investigator, Queensland Museum/Monash University
Dr Elizabeth Bonshek, Research Associate
Dr Pam Swadling, Research Associate, Australian National University
Susie Davis, Research Associate
Kiri Chan, Research Associate
Michael Quinnell, Mentor, Queensland Museum

Project partners

Images from the MacGregor Collection

Container made of natural materials. — Lime container, Queensland Museum, MAC3205E

Four tusks tied together neatly with string. — Prestigious boar's tusk object, Queensland Museum, MAC1372

Two connected brown discs made to look like eyes with striking red seeds for irises, white eyebrows and pupils. — Face ornament

A series of boar tusks connected by string, forming a hanging chestplate. — Man's fighting insignia, Aberdeen University Museum, ABDUA:144

MacGregor's handwriting on an aged envelope. — MacGregor's notes on an envelope containing a tally, Aberdeen University Museum

Striped yellow, brown and black plant-fibre skirt — Detail of woman's skirt, Aberdeen University Museum, ABDUA:112

Hundreds of vibrant multicoloured feathers tied neatly together in a long string. — Elaborate parrot feather string, Aberdeen University Museum

Wooden-handled tool for cutting wood. — Adze, University of Cambridge, MAAZ1898.71

Showing detail of original transaction label on a wooden drum. — Trobriand drum detail of original label showing transaction, University of Cambridge, MAAZ1887.22

Intricate string necklace adorned with white round discs. — Necklace, University of Cambridge, MAAZ9097

Bone spatula with decorative carvings. — Spatula, University of Cambridge

Container made of natural materials.

Four tusks tied together neatly with string.

Two connected brown discs made to look like eyes with striking red seeds for irises, white eyebrows and pupils.

A series of boar tusks connected by string, forming a hanging chestplate.

MacGregor's handwriting on an aged envelope.

Striped yellow, brown and black plant-fibre skirt

Hundreds of vibrant multicoloured feathers tied neatly together in a long string.

Wooden-handled tool for cutting wood.

Showing detail of original transaction label on a wooden drum.

Intricate string necklace adorned with white round discs.

Bone spatula with decorative carvings.

Excavating MacGregor is a collaborative research initiative generously funded by the Australian Research Council with the University of Sydney, the Australian Museum and Queensland Museum.

Featured image (top of the page): Vatorata LMS missonary training college, Port Morsbey c.1900 (crop)

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Jude Philp

Senior Curator, Macleay Collections

Phone

+61 2 9036 6486

Email

jude.philp@sydney.edu.au

Aims and methodology

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Rich, funny and emotive stories emphasising the important roles that the PNG National Museum and Art Gallery collections play in keeping the diverse and unique cultures of this country alive.