American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land Search this
Length - Object:
118.1 cm
Diameter - Object:
12.07 cm
Object Type:
Memorial Coffin
Place:
Milingimbi Island, Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Australia
Accession Date:
2 May 1949
Notes:
FROM CARD: "PAINTED WITH CROSS-HATCHED DESIGNS AND A NARROW PANEL SHOWING 3 FISH, 1 NATIVE COMPANION [brolga / Australian crane], 5 AMOEBA-LIKE FORMS WHICH MAY REPRESENT SNAKES (TJALNING). THE LOWER SECTION HAS TWO NARROW PANELS - ONE PANEL ILLUSTRATES 3 SNAKES AND THE SECOND PANEL HAS 3 FISH. AT THE UPPER END ARE TWO CIRCULAR HOLES OUTLINED IN WHITE (DIAM. 1 IN.). THIS REPRESENTS EYES IN WHICH THE ARM BONES OF THE DECEASED ARE PLACED. FIVE POINTED PRONGS 13.5 IN. LONG REPRESENT THE MOUTH AND TEETH OF A MYTHICAL MONSTER. THIS MAY HAVE COME FROM TJAMURAMARA, A DREAMING PLACE OF THE KARTJI GROUP OF THE WULAKI DISTRICT, CAPE STEWART. (REPAIRED IN ANTHROPOLOGICAL LABORATORY.)"
