FootballCollection Highlights | Updated 1 decade agoSherrin football signed by Ashley Sampi, a Bardi (Kimberley) man playing for the West Coast Eagles. The football is an old game day ball subsequently used for training. Presented to the Museum by the Club for display in Katta Djinoong. More information
Kodj (axe)Collection Highlights | Updated 7 years agoArtist unknown, Nyoongar. Kodj were only made by Nyoongar peoples of the South west. Two dolerite stone tools, called scrapers, were fastened to the wooden handle using Xanthorrhoea resin. There are two kodj styles–one, like this kodj, includes two scrapers positioned to provide sharp cutting edges; the other has one sharp cutting edge, and a “blocky” shape for hammering or pounding.More information
Bark BucketCollection Highlights | Updated 1 decade agoArtist unknown, Worora Bark ‘bucket’, made with a paperbark cylinder and round base joined with fibre stitching and sealed with beeswax. Collected at Port George IV Mission. Donated by Mrs Turton. More information
Aboriginal cultures collectionCollections | Updated 1 years agoThe representation of Western Australian Aboriginal cultures has been a significant focus of the Museum since its inception in 1892. The early collections reflect hunting and gathering lifestyles, and personal adornment of the peoples of the South West, Pilbara, Desert and Kimberley regions. The collection traces the impact and influence of Europeans on the Aboriginal peoples of Western Australia and includes objects representing the innovative use of introduced materials and the continuity of Aboriginal traditional knowledge and skills.More information
Wavy handled jarCollection Highlights | Updated 1 decade agoFrom Predynastic Tomb 139F, Hierakonpolis, Egypt. Archaeologist John Garstang worked at Hierakonpolis between 1904 and 1906, under the auspices of the Egypt Exploration Fund. The WA Museum purchased a small collection of Egyptian items from the EEF. More information
Mummified snakeCollection Highlights | Updated 1 decade agoNaja sp. Wrapped in a linen ‘mummy’ shroud. Animals were mummified for a variety of reasons: as food, pets, votive offerings, and sacred creatures. Serpent deities included: Meret-seger, Renenutet, Wadjyt and Nehebkaw. Worshippers may have made offerings to prevent snake-bite and other dangers. This example probably dates to after 1000 BC. It was purchased by the donor in Thebes on a voyage between England and Perth. Collector T.S. Henry, 1897. More information
‘Goosebumps’ mummy mugCollection Highlights | Updated 1 decade agoAncient Egyptian mummies, reflecting long-held religious beliefs about the rebirth of the dead are transformed in popular culture into creatures of horror. This mug is a ‘Goosebumps’ design from 1996, reflecting a popular series of children’s horror fiction. Donated by M. Smith 2006. More information
Amulet – djed pillarCollection Highlights | Updated 1 decade agoDjed pillars were amongst the most common amulets placed on ancient Egyptian mummies. The amulet represents the backbone of the god Osiris, and symbolised strength and stability, while the colour of the object represented regeneration. Late Dynastic Period, 600-300 BC. Purchased from Charles Ede (antiquities dealer in London), and was originally from the Mustaki collection exported to London in 1947. More information
Ancient Egyptian collectionCollections | Updated 1 years agoAs part of the 19th century belief that the Ancient Worlds were a window into the past, and also that a display of ancient objects reflected a civilised and cultured society, the Western Australian Museum acquired numerous objects from early 20th century excavations in Egypt. Other objects in this collection have been donated or purchased to reflect ancient Egyptian culture.More information
Anthropology and Archaeology - peer-reviewed publicationsDepartmental resources | Updated 1 decade agoPeer-reviewed publications published from the department of Anthropology and Archaeology from 2006-2008. 2007-2008 Moffat, I., Wallis, L.A., Beale, A. and Kynuna, D. (2008). Trialing Geophysical Techniques in the Identification of Open Indigenous Sites in Australia: A Case Study from Inland Northwest Queensland. Australian Archaeology 66: 60-63. 2006-2007More information