Clever men : how worlds collided on the scientific expedition to Arnhem Land of 1948
Thomas, Martin (Martin Edward), 1964-2025
Books, Manuscripts
"Here was I with the status of little more than a telephone mechanic, taking out the biggest scientific expedition in history." In this way the legendary Charles Mountford immodestly described his biggest assignment: to lead an expedition of American and Australian scientists to Arnhem Land in northern Australia, investigating traditional Aboriginal life and the tropical environment. Backed by National Geographic, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Australian government, it was also a display of the friendship between Australia and the US. But the adventure turned out to be anything but friendly. In this compelling account, award-winning historian Martin Thomas tells how they set out with fanfare in 1948 and how quickly the expedition turned toxic. Thomas uncovers the secrets, scandals, and unlikely achievements. He also reveals how Indigenous communities, including the elders known as 'clever men', dealt with the intrusion of these foreign 'experts'. Drawing on years of collaborative research with Arnhem Land communities, Clever Men is a poignant portrayal of colliding worlds. In this encounter between scientific hubris and the world's oldest surviving cultures, Thomas finds a story of global significance and profound long-term impacts.
Main title:
Author:
Imprint:
Cammeraygal Country ; Crows Nest, NSW : Allen & Unwin, 2025.©2025
Collation:
xxxviii, 458 pages, 32 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps, portraits (some colour) ; 24 cm.
Notes:
Cultural sensitivity advisory notice: Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and other First Nations people are advised that this item may contain names, recordings, images, photographs, illustrations and text of deceased people and other content that may be culturally sensitive.Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents:
PrologueIntroduction: The American Clever ManAct 1, Before the expedition. Monty ; America ; The Geographic ; The SmithsonianAct 2, The Expedition Musters. To the Territory ; Darwin - Act 3, Groote Eylandt. The strange world of Umbakumba ; 'Expedition First' ; The Trepangers ; The diarists ; To the mission ; The broker ; The price of collecting ; Maritime adventuresAct 4, Yirrkala. The Dismissal ; Laughing at the expedition ; Margaret McArthur and the food questAct 5, Gunbalanya (Oenpelli). Travelling east ; The rush to record ; 'If we don't see this film again, we won't be able to remember' ; Shipping out ; The spiritual radio ; The homecomingCoda: The last of the big expeditionsEndnotesIndex.
ISBN:
9781761069321 (paperback)
Dewey class:
305.89915
Language:
English
Subject:
Mountford, Charles P. (Charles Pearcy), 1890-1976American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land (1948)Ethnological expeditions -- Northern Territory -- Arnhem Land -- History -- 20th centuryAboriginal Australians -- Treatment ofAboriginal Australians -- Northern Territory -- Arnhem Land -- Social conditionsScientific expeditions -- Northern Territory -- Arnhem Land -- History -- 20th centuryArnhem Land (N.T.) -- Discovery and exploration
BRN:
102398
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