University of Queensland Anthropology Museum, Anthropology research museum at University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia
The University of Queensland Anthropology Museum is a research collection holding around 28,000 artifacts and 8,000 photographs from Queensland and the Pacific. The holdings show material from Indigenous Australian peoples, the Solomon Islands, and other Pacific cultures, including extensive weapons collections.
The museum was founded in 1948 by Dr. Lindsey Winterbotham, who donated 1,000 objects and laid the foundation for anthropological research at the university. This founding collection grew over time into one of Australia's largest collections of ethnographic materials at a university.
The collection displays objects from Indigenous Australian cultures and the Pacific, including Solomon Islands artwork, ceremonial sculptures, and bark paintings. These pieces tell stories of the ways people lived and created art across these regions.
The museum is located in the Michie Building on the St Lucia Campus and opens Monday through Friday for visitors. Admission is free, and the grounds are accessible by public transportation.
The collection includes about 1,100 spears and arrows, providing insight into traditional weapon techniques and craftsmanship. This weapons collection is one of the most important resources for understanding manufacturing methods and cultural practices of Pacific peoples.
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