Central Asiatic Expeditions (1921-1930)

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Exist Dates

1921 - 1930

Biographical or Historical Note

abstract
The Central Asiatic Expeditions took place between 1921 and 1930, and were led by Roy Chapman Andrews. Walter Granger was chief paleontologist and the second in command. With a team of up to forty scientists, drivers, and assistants, they were able to collect a vast multitude of objects for the American Museum of Natural History and make many groundbreaking discoveries such as the first dinosaur eggs. They explored throughout the Gobi Desert and cemented this area as a prime location for paleontological study.

“These expeditions went into Mongolia to explore the Gobi Desert, seek the ancestry of man, and study the natural history of the region. With the aid of a fleet of motor cars, a supporting caravan of camels and a well-organized scientific staff, the expeditions of 1922, 1923, 1925, 1928 and 1930 covered practically all of the fields of desert exploration” (1). Roy Chapman Andrews had explored the regions of China and Mongolia in two previous trips. The First Asiatic Zoological Expedition (1916-1917) was largely zoological in scope and was restricted to the Chinese provinces of Fukien and Yunnan. The Second Asiatic Zoological Expedition went into Mongolia in 1919, and was also zoological in nature. Andrews considered these preparatory steps in his larger proposal to launch an extended, large scale expedition into Mongolia (2). They are often grouped as part of the overarching Central Asiatic Expeditions. After obtaining the support of the Museum, Andrews was able to gather enough sponsorship to make his plan a reality by 1921. It was known as the Third Asiatic Expedition until approximately 1925, when the name was changed to Central Asiatic Expeditions (3). Andrews supervised all activity, which was comprised of five distinct summer collecting seasons in the Gobi desert, as well as winter seasons. Additionally, herpetologist Clifford Pope spent his time collecting in areas of southern China such as Fukien Province and Hainan Island. The 1922 Expedition traveled from Kalgan to Urga, then southwest to Tsagan Nor in the Altai region and back to Kalgan. In 1923, exploration efforts focused on exploiting the fossil fields discovered in Inner Mongolia and the eastern Altai region of Outer Mongolia. The 1925 exploration included forty men, and the main party traveled as far northwest as Orok Nor. The 1928 Expedition was conducted entirely in Inner Mongolia. In 1930, the work was confined to vertebrate paleontology, geology and topography, and was performed from camps near the Outer Mongolian border. The expeditions gathered astaggering body of observations, records, measurements, photographs, films, and collections as materials for the American Museum of Natural History and scientific papers in publication. They made many historic discoveries, including the first dinosaur eggs. The Expeditions were memorable as well for the use of automobiles in their work, and Andrews’ inexhaustive promotion and fundraising efforts, which included yearly speaking tours, sponsorships and even auctioning one of the dinosaur eggs.

Sources

    Library of Congress Name Authority File: no95059429
    (1) Andrews, Roy Chapman, Walter Granger, Clifford Hillhouse Pope, Nels Christian Nelson, and Glover Morrill Allen. The new conquest of Central Asia: a narrative of the explorations of the Central Asiatic Expeditions in Mongolia and China, 1921-1930. (New York: American Museum of Natural History, 1932).
    (2) Roy Chapman Andrews, "Urga, the Sacred City of the Living Buddha," Harper's Monthly Magazine 141, no. 842 (1920): 147.
    (3) Charles Gallenkamp, Dragon hunter: Roy Chapman Andrews and the Central Asiatic expeditions (New York: Viking, 2001), 106.

Chronology

  • 1921 - 1930: Central Asiatic Expeditions
  • 1922: season one
  • 1923: season two
  • 1924: no season planned, returned to United States to work on collection, plan continued work and raise funds.
  • 1925: season three
  • 1926: season cancelled due to Chinese Civil War
  • 1927: season cancelled due to Chinese Civil War
  • 1928: season four
  • 1929: season cancelled due to the inability to agree to conditions for the Expedition with the Chinese Commission for the Preservation of Ancient Objects
  • 1930: season five

Terms

localDescription
expedition
localDescription
enhanced
place
FujianExternal link
(Expedition Site)

Fukien province; Pope collected in this region.
place
BeijingExternal link
Peking, where the expedition headquarters were located.
place
ZhangjiakouExternal link
(Expedition Site)

Kalgan
place
Ulaanbaatar External link
(Expedition Site)

Urga is the capital and only city in Mongolia at the time of the expedition.
place
Tsagan Nor
(Expedition Site)

White Lake
place
AltaiExternal link
(Expedition Site)

The Altai Mountain range was prominent in the expedition.
place
Orok Nor
(Expedition Site)
place
GobiExternal link
(Expedition Site)

The Gobi desert was the site for the expedition's primary focus on fossil discovery.
place
ChināExternal link
(Expedition Site)
place
New YorkExternal link
The American Museum of Natural History, the sponsoring institution and employer of many of the staff, is located in New York.
place
MongoliaExternal link
(Expedition Site)

The Expedition sought to explore the Mongolian region.
place
Iren Dabasu
(Expedition Site)
place
Shara Murun
(Expedition Site)
place
HainanExternal link
(Expedition Site)

Pope collected specimens in this region.
place
Bayn-Szak
Sahabarakh Usu
place
Szechuan
Granger and his wife spent some of the winter seasons collecting in Szechuan.
place
Flaming Cliffs

Related Corporate, Personal, and Family Names

participantIn
Ah-sen
interpreter and guide who acted as Pope's chief assistant, directed collection of many specimens.
American Asiatic AssociationExternal link
associated dates: 1921-1930

Sponsor of the Expedition
American Museum of Natural History
associated dates: 1921-1930

Parent institution and sponsor of the Expedition.
participantIn
Andrews, Roy Chapman, 1884-1960.
associated dates: 1921-1930

Leader and Zoologist; Andrews was chiefly responsible for fundraising and organizing the Expedition. Andrews traveled the U.S. to raise awareness and funds for the CAE, eventually to become a well-known figure and director of the American Museum of Natural History.
Andrews, Yvette Borup (-1959)
associated dates: 1921-1930

photographer, first wife of Andrews
participantIn
Ardia
Mongol involved in CAE.
participantIn
Arjol
Mongol involved in CAE.
participantIn
Arushin
Mongol involved in CAE.
Asia MagazineExternal link
associated dates: 1921-1930

Sponsor of the Expedition
Asiatic Zoological Expedition of the American Museum of Natural History (2nd: 1918-1919)
associated dates: 1918-1919

Andrews 1918-1919 expedition first utilized motor transport as the Gobi Desert region was explored. It is a precursor to the Third Expedition and is sometimes considered part of the Central Asiatic Expeditions.
Asiatic Zoölogical Expedition of the American Museum of Natural History (1st: 1916-1917)
associated dates: 1916-1917

Andrews' 1916-1917 expedition explored the areas of Yunnan and Fujien provinces in China. It was a precursor to the Third Expedition and is sometimes considered part of the encompassing Central Asiatic Expeditions.
participantIn
Badmajapoff, T.
Mongolian political representative; Badmajapoff was officially part of the CAE as a representative of the Mongolian government.
participantIn
Bahata
Mongol involved in CAE.
participantIn
Beckwith, Radcliffe Harold, 1900-
associated dates: 1926-1927

Geologist; Beckwith was a geologist during 1926 and 1927 Expeditions and author of Contributions to the Geology of Northern Mongolia (1934).
participantIn
Berkey, Charles Peter, (1867-1955)
associated dates: 1922-1925

Chief geologist; Berkey was the chief geologist during the 1926 and 1927 Expeditions. He wrote Geology of Mongolia: a reconnaissance report based on the investigations of the years 1922-1923.
participantIn
Butler, Frederick B.
Assistant topographer; Butler was a lieutenant of the Army Corps of Engineers before becoming a member of the CAE as assistant topographer in 1925. He rejoined his military unit after the expedition. Butler prepared an intelligence report on his observations in Inner Mongolia for the War Office in Washington.
participantIn
Chaney, Ralph Works, 1890-1971.
Paleobotanist; Chaney was a paleobotanist for the 1925 Expedition.
participantIn
Chuen-pao, Kan. (Buckshot)
Chinese "mess boy" later promoted to paleontology assistant to Dr. Granger after receiving eight months of training at the museum in 1924-25.
participantIn
Colgate, S. Bayard (Samuel Bayard), 1898-
Chief, motor transport; Colgate was the chief of motor transport for the 1922 season. His father, Sidney M. Colgate, and two of his uncles, Austin and Russell Colgate of the Colgate-Palmolive Company and Colgate University, were influential supporters of the CAE.
participantIn
Dase Dalop
Mongol involved in CAE.
Eriksson, Joel
associated dates: 1926-1930

Agent in Mongolia; Eriksson operated Swedish missions at Hallong Osso and Hatt-in-Sumu where the Expedition frequently stopped. From 1926 to 1930, he acted as an expedition agent in, for instance, organizing the purchase of a new camel caravan when it was lost to bandits. He also relayed reports to Andrews from nomad informants about fossil deposits.
participantIn
Fu-Min, Kang
Zoological Assistant
participantIn
Garber, A. Z.
Surgeon; A medical doctor at Peking Union Medical College, Garber joined the CAE as surgeon for the 1930 expedition.
participantIn
Grabau, Amadeus W. (Amadeus William), 1870-1946.
associated dates: 1922-1930

Research associate; Grabau was a German-American paleontologist. who represented the Geological Survey of China. This Chinese government-supported initiative's main function was to conduct geological and paleontological research, locate mineral resources, and train students in these fields. A prolific author, his works include The Permian of Mongolia, the 4th volume of The Natural History of Central Asia.
participantIn
Granger, Anna G.
associated dates: 1921-1930

Wife of Walter Granger, accompanied him for part of the time period.
participantIn
Granger, Walter, 1872-1941
associated dates: 1921-1930

Chief paleontologist, second in command; Granger was the associate curator of fossil mammals before joining the CAE. He discovered the velociraptor, oviraptor and protoceratops, and the skull of a mammal from the Cretaceous period. Besides his work in Mongolia, he was known for his prolific collection of fossil vertebrates in Wyoming, New Mexico and Fayum (Egypt).
participantIn
Hill, Maj. Gen. William P.T. (1895-1965)+D28
Topographer; Hill was as one of the Marine Corps’ first aviators. As Captain, he commanded a company assigned to the American Legation in Peking, China. While there, he participated in the CAE as topographer in the 1920 Expedition.
participantIn
Horváth, G.
Motor transport; As assistant to Mac Young, Horvath was responsible for motor transport in the 1928 Expedition.
participantIn
Hsi-Ku, Liu.
Chinese mechanical assistant, then surveyors assistant, later moved to paleontology assistant after receiving eight months of training at the museum in 1924-25.
participantIn
Johnson, Albert F.
Assistant in paleontology; Johnson was a paleontologist at the American Museum of Natural History who had worked with Barnum Brown. He joined the 1923 CAE as assistant in paleontology and discovered a group of 9 dinosaur eggs at the Flaming Cliffs.
participantIn
Johnson, C. Vance
Motor transport; Vance Johnson was head of motor transport in 1923. An expert mechanic, Johnson was recruited from an automobile distributor in Peking to join the CAE.
participantIn
Jong
Taxidermist who worked with Pope.
participantIn
Kaisen, Peter C.
Assistant in paleontology; Kaisen was an assistant in paleontology for the 1923 Expedition.
participantIn
Kang
Taxidermist who worked with Pope.
participantIn
Lansl
Mongol involved in CAE.
participantIn
Larsen, F. A.
associated dates: 1922-1926

Interpreter and expedition agent; Larson was a Swedish former Missionary who had been in Mongolia since 1893. He and Andrews had first become acquainted in 1919. He acted as interpreter and expedition agent for the CAE from 1922 to 1926, assisting in many matters and acting as representative.
participantIn
Lobsen
Mongol involved in CAE.
participantIn
Loucks, H. A.
Surgeon; Loucks was the first surgeon to join the Expedition in 1925 while on leave from the Peking Union Medical College. Loucks discovered the skull of a titanothere, which Olsen excavated. It was named Embolotherium loucksi in his honor.
participantIn
Lovell, Norman.
Motor transport; A British mechanic, Lovell assisted in motor transport in 1925. He discovered eighteen eggs standing on end in a double row at the Flaming Cliffs.
Matthew, William Diller, 1871-1930.
Paleontologist; A vertebrate paleontologist and curator at AMNH, Matthew planned to join the Expedition in 1926 but that season was cancelled due to Civil War in China. An evolutionary theorist and author, Matthew published the classic work, Climate and Evolution (1915) in which he argued that mammals had migrated out of Asia. This theory, which Osborn also adhered to, would be one of the prime motivations for this series of expeditions.
participantIn
Merin
associated dates: 1922-1927

Mongol Head of Caravan
participantIn
Morris, Frederick K. (Frederick Kuhne), (1886-1962)
associated dates: 1922, 1923, 1925

Geologist; Morris was a geologist for the 1922, 1923 and 1925 Expeditions.
participantIn
Nada
Mongol involved in CAE.
participantIn
Nelson, Nels C. (Nels Christian), (1875-1964).
Archeologist; A Danish-American archaeologist, Nelson joined the CAE in 1925. At the Gobi desert’s Flaming Cliffs, Nelson discovered an array of man-made artifacts and named the Neolithic people who used them “Dune Dwellers.” In 1925 Nelson explored a number of caves along the banks of the Yangtze River in search of prehistoric man. In 1926, Nelson and Granger mapped a paleontological and archaeological survey of Yunnan Province.
participantIn
Odol
Mongol involved in CAE.
participantIn
Olsen, George, d. 1939.
associated dates: 1923-1925

Assistant in paleontology; Olsen worked on the CAE from 1923 to 1925. He discovered the first specimen of Alectrosaurus in 1923, as well as Gilmoreosaurus. He also excavated a tintanothere skull discovered by Loucks, later named Embolotherium loucksi. With Osborn, he wrote Andrewsarchus, Giant Mesonychid of Mongolia.
participantIn
Osborn, Henry Fairfield
AMNH President and supporter of Andrews' plans, visited 1923 expedition. Was a scientist and great proponent of the Out of Asia theory.
participantIn
Pond, Alonzo William, 1894-1986.
Archeologist; For the 1928 Expedition, Pond helped excavate the Dune Dweller sites, as well as ancient tombs in the Gobi desert.
participantIn
Pope, Clifford H. (Clifford Hillhouse), 1899-1974.
associated dates: 1921-1926

Herpetologist, Chinese division; Pope was a herpetologist of the CAE’s Chinese division from 1921 to 1926. Between 1921 and 1923, Pope collected specimens in the provinces of Anhwei, Hunan, Shansi and the island of Hainan. In 1925-26 he worked in Kiangsi and Fukein. He collected over six thousand specimens – the most comprehensive collection of reptiles, amphibians, and fish of that time. He wrote China’s Animal Frontier and The Reptiles of China, Volume X of Natural History of Central Asia.
participantIn
Pérez, José A. (José Antonio)
Surgeon; Perez served as the surgeon for the 1928 Expedition. He operated on Andrews’ leg after an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound, and treated Horvath for a knife injury. Perez also treated Chinese Muslim men suffering from advanced stages of syphilis at a temple in Kansu.
Rainey Asiatic Expedition
The Rainey Asiatic Expedition took place in Siberia. Edmund Heller accompanied Paul J. Rainey as scientist for this expedition. Heller had previously acted as naturalist and small mammal collector on Andrews' First Asiatic Expedition. The Rainey Asiatic Expedition was originally referred to in the AMNH Annual Report as the Third Asiatic Zoological Expedition, although it was unrelated to and should not be confused with this Third Asiatic Expedition, (later Central Asiatic Expeditions) led by Roy Chapman Andrews.
participantIn
Roberts, Leo Bond
Chief topographer; Roberts was the chief topographer in the 1925 Expedition.
participantIn
Robinson, H. O.
Assistant topographer; An Englishman assigned to the First Royal Lancashire Regiment at the British legation in Peking, Robinson was an assistant topographer in 1925. At the Flaming Cliffs, he uncovered a cache of egg fragments laid by a giant ostrich known as Struthiolithus that had inhabited the Gobi during the Pliocene or early Pleisocene epoch.
participantIn
Sanlo
Mongol involved in CAE.
participantIn
Serlin
Mongol involved in CAE.
participantIn
Shackelford, James B.
associated dates: 1922, 1925, 1928

Photographer; Shackelford was the Expedition photographer in 1922, 1925 and 1928. An expert in handling the Akeley camera, Shackelford produced footage and photographs of the Expedition. He is credited to have discovered the Flaming Cliffs, as well as the skull of a parrot-beaked, frill-headed dinosaur named Protoceratops andrewsi in 1922.
participantIn
Sho-lun, Chih
Zoological assistant
participantIn
Spock, Leslie Erskine, 1900-
Geologist; Spock was a student of Berkey’s and geologist for the 1930 Expedition. He also worked on map formations. He co-authored Pennsylvanian Foraminifera from Mongolia (1933).
participantIn
Tcherim
Mongol Interpreter
participantIn
Thomson, Albert (-1948)
associated dates: 1928-1930

Assistant in paleontology; Thompson was an assistant in paleontology for the CAE from 1928 to 1930. At the CAE’s Wolf Camp, he and Granger discovered the remains of a mother and infant shovel-tusked Platybelodon.
participantIn
Tserin
associated dates: 1928, 1930

Mongol leader of the expedition's caravan
participantIn
Wang ("Wong") Hao-t'ing
"Mr. Wang," artist who accompanied Clifford Pope and made scientific watercolors of reptiles and ampibians.
participantIn
Whey
Head Cook
participantIn
Wong, James V.T.
Interpreter and assistant to Andrews, also accompanied Granger in 1921.
participantIn
Wyman, Walker Demarquis, 1907-
Topographer; Wyman served as a topographer for the CAE. He prepared an intelligence report on his observations in Inner Mongolia for the War Office in Washington, D.C.
participantIn
Yang
Cook
participantIn
You-Ming, Chow
No. 1 boy
participantIn
Young, John McKenzie (-1931).
associated dates: 1923-1930

Chief motor transport; Young was the chief of motor transport for the expedition from 1923 to 1930, and responsible for Expedition affairs in China in Andrews’ absence.
participantIn
Yu-lu, Chang
Zoological assistant
participantIn
de Chardin, Rev. Pierre Teilhard (1881-1955)
Geologist; De Chardin joined the 1930 Expedition as a geologist. He was a French philosopher, Jesuit priest and scientist who trained as a paleontologist and geologist and had taken part in the discovery of Peking Man in 1929 and Piltdown Man, later discredited as a hoax.

Related Resources

subjectOf
Frederick B. Butler collection on the 1925 field season of the Third Asiatic Expedition, 1924-1927 (bulk 1925-1926)
associated dates: 1924-1927

Creator: Frederick B. Butler. Extent: 1 linear foot (3 boxes). Repository: AMNH Special Collections, Mss .B88
subjectOf
Central Asiatic Expeditions papers, approximately 1919-1930s
associated dates: 1919-1930

Creator: American Museum of Natural History. Extent: 7 linear feet (14 boxes). Repository: AMNH Special Collections, Mss .C446
subjectOf
Roy Chapman Andrews papers
associated dates: 1912-1944

Creator: Roy Chapman Andrews Extent: 12 linear feet (20 boxes). Repository: AMNH Special Collections, Mss .A51-.A54
subjectOf
Journals of expeditions to Mongolia
associated dates: 1919-1930

Creator: Roy Chapman Andrews Extent: 11 v. ; 27 cm. Also available on microfilm: Archives Microfilm #31. Repository: American Museum of Natural History Rare Book Collection, Call # 51-F v. 1-11;
subjectOf
The Central Asiatic Expeditions [videorecording] : fauna.
associated dates: 1921-1930

Creator: James Barnes Shackelford, photographer. Extent: 1 videocassette (17 min.) : si., b&w ; 3/4 in. Repository: American Museum of Natural History Special Collections, Film Collection no. 146.
subjectOf
Central Asiatic Expeditions [videorecording] : fossils and artifacts.
Creator: James Barnes Shackelford, photographer. Extent: 1 videocassette (19 min.) : si., b&w ; 3/4 in. Repository: American Museum of Natural History Special Collections, Film Collection no. 147.
subjectOf
Central Asiatic Expeditions [videorecording] : maps, staff and transportation.
associated dates: 1922-1928

Creator: James Barnes Shackelford, photographer. Extent: 1 videocassette (29 min.) : si., b&w ; 3/4 in. Repository: American Museum of Natural History Special Collections, Film Collection no. 148.
subjectOf
The Central Asiatic Expeditions [videorecording] : Mongols.
associated dates: 1922-1925

Creator: James Barnes Shackelford, photographer. Extent: 1 videocassette (29 min.) : si., b&w ; 3/4 in. Repository: American Museum of Natural History Special Collections, Film Collection no. 149.
subjectOf
The Central Asiatic Expeditions [videorecording] : Peking.
associated dates: 1922-1928

Creator: James Barnes Shackelford, photographer. Extent: 1 videocassette (7 min.) : si., b&w ; 3/4 in. Repository: American Museum of Natural History Special Collections, Film Collection no. 150.
subjectOf
[Documents from the Third Asiatic Expedition]
associated dates: 1920?-1935

Creator: Central Asiatic Expeditions (1921-1930). Extent: 35 items : ill., 2 photos. ; 28 x 108 cm. (folded to 28 x 12 cm.) or smaller, in 7 folders, in box, 38 x 48 x 4 cm. Repository: AMNH Special Collections, MEM-3, Box 1 [on shelf 7-72-5].
subjectOf
Field books of the Third Asiatic Expedition
associated dates: 1922-1930

Creator: Central Asiatic Expeditions (1921-1930). Extent: 58 items in 6 boxes : ill. (some col.), 3 col. maps ; 26 cm. or smaller. Library also has a microfilm copy (Archives Microfilm #42), in 6 reels. Repository: AMNH Rare Book Collection 51-D Box 1
subjectOf
Maps from the 1925 and 1928 surveys of Mongolia
associated dates: 1925, 1928

Creator: Central Asiatic Expeditions (1921-1930). Extent: 120 maps : chiefly col. ; 72 x 50 cm. or smaller. Repository: AMNH Rare Book Collection RF-106-Aa.

Written by: Kendra Meyer
Last modified: 2016 November 10


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