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Archbold Expedition to New Guinea (1st : 1933-1934)

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1933 - 1934

Summary

Abstract:

The Archbold Expedition to New Guinea of 1933 and 1934 was the first in a series of exploratory trips to those environs sponsored by Richard Archbold and benefitting the American Museum of Natural History. The primary participants of this expedition were Archbold, ornithologist Austin L. Rand and botanist Leonard J. Brass. Their goal was to collect and study the flora and fauna of the island of New Guinea and surrounding areas, and to climb Mt. Albert Edward.

Chronology:
1933-02-28
Archbold and Rand arrive; first trip begins
1933-03-02
Brass arrives in Port Moresby, they collect in Rona
1933-03-18
Return to Port Moresby
1933-03-30
Embark for collecting work in Yule Island and Mt. Albert Edward area
1934-01-03
Second leg of trip begins, collecting in Daru region and inland to Wuroi

Biographical Note

Richard Archbold was an American mammalogist, photographer, environmentalist, mountaineer and Research Associate at the American Museum of Natural History. His grandfather, John D. Archbold, had earned the family fortune as a president of Standard Oil. After participating as photographer and mammalogist for AMNH on the Mission zoologique franco-anglo-américaine à Madagascar between 1929 and 1930, Richard Archbold had found his calling and desired to continue expeditionary work. Encouraged by AMNH trustee, benefactor and bird enthusiast Dr. Leonard Sanford, he was introduced to ornithologist and museum curator Ernst Mayr, who was an expert on the region (1, p. 11). It was determined that New Guinea would be a suitable area for Archbold's efforts. Archbold planned all aspects of his expeditions meticulously; equipment, supplies, itinerary and staffing.

He had met and befriended Canadian ornithologist Austin Loomer Rand during the Madagascar expedition; it was also during that project that Archbold recognized the need to have a trained botanist for successful and well-rounded field work. (1, 2000, p. 14) Leonard J. Brass was an Australian botanist associated with the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University, who had already traveled in New Guinea. (1, 2000, p. 89) The team also included the local resident C. J. Adamson, who acted as transport manager and supplied the expedition with mules. (2, 1935, p. 531), and for a short period they were joined by photographer R. V. Oldham. (3, n.d.) Over 30 native carriers and assistants were hired to join the venture.

The expedition took place from February of 1933 until March of 1934. Archbold had quickly identified challenges of work in this area: transportation, availability of food and the need always carry supplies (4, 1936). The initial leg of the journey was from Port Moresby to Yule Island, inland to the top of Mount Albert Edward and then back again. Additional forays were made to the area behind Port Moresby. The second leg of the trip was from Port Moresby to Daru and then inland to Wuroi. Approximately 4700 zoological specimens were collected for AMNH (850 mammalogy, 3200 ornithology, 530 herpetology, 130 ichthyology) (2, 1935, p. 543)and over 15,000 botanical specimens were selected and went to the New York Botanical Gardens to be classified and reported on by E. D. Merrill. (2, 1935, p. 544). The specimens at AMNH would be processed by both Archbold and Rand as well as Museum curatorial staff members Raven, Mayr, Tate, Nichols, Nobel and Kauffield. The resulting collections added new species to the known body of New Guinea flora and fauna, broadened the understanding of the relationship between the biological life of South New Guinea and northern Australia, and expanded the existing range of knowledge about this region (5, 1934). Upon his return, Archbold began planning the second expedition to New Guinea (1936-1937).

SOURCES (1) Roger A. Morse, Richard Archbold and the Archbold Biological Station. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 2000.

(2)Richard Archbold and A.L. Rand, "Summary of the 1933-1934 Papuan Expedition," Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 68, Article 8, 1935.

(3)Archbold Expeditions. "Photographic Index," in AMNH Mammalogy Departmental Library and Archive.

(4) Richard Archbold, "An Ascent of Mt. Albert Edward," American Alpine Journal 2, Issue 4, 1936.

(5) American Museum of Natural History, "Scientific work in New Guinea," Natural History, 1934.

American Museum of Natural History Annual Reports.

Places

  • New York (N.Y.) (Other) -- Date: 1933 - 1934
    • Note: The Expedition was organized by and benefitted the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
  • Papua New Guinea (Associated Country) -- Date: 1933 - 1934
    • Note: Expedition site; The expedition sought to collect and research flora and fauna of New Guinea.
  • Port Moresby (Other) -- Date: 1933 - 1934
    • Note: Expedition site
  • newRona (Other) -- Date: 1933
    • Note: Expedition site
  • Yule Island (Other) -- Date: 1933    
    • Note: Expedition site
  • Albert Edward, Mount (Other) -- Date: 1933    
    • Note: Expedition site, in Wharton range
  • Daru (Other) -- Date: 1934    
    • Note: Expedition site
  • newBinaturi River  (Other) -- Date: 1934    
    • Note: Expedition site
  • newDogwa (Other) -- Date: 1934    
    • Note: Expedition site
  • newKubuna (Other) -- Date: 1934    
    • Note: Expedition site
  • newMafulu (Other) -- Date: 1934
    • Note: Expedition site
  • newMount Tafa (Other) -- Date: 1934    
    • Note: Expedition site
  • newMurray Pass (Other) -- Date: 1934    
    • Note: Expedition site
  • Oriomo (Other) -- Date: 1934    
    • Note: Oriomo River; Expedition site
  • newWuroi (Other) -- Date: 1934    
    • Note: Expedition site
  • Fly River (Other) -- Date: 1934    
    • Note: Expedition site
  • newBaroka (Other) -- Date: 1933 - 1934
    • Note: Expedition site

Topics

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

The Archbold Collections at the American Museum of Natural History, 1928-1980.

 Collection
Identifier: Archive Mammalogy Archbold
Scope and Contents The Archbold Collections at the American Museum of Natural History is comprised of material that documents the expeditionary fieldwork of Richard Archbold and the Archbold Expeditions. It is housed within the AMNH Department of Mammalogy Archive, and encompasses a variety of formats, including photographs, slides, film, scrapbooks, correspondence, financial records, and field documentation such as catalogs, specimen lists, field notes and journals. These describe both the day-to-day...
Dates: 1928 - 1980; Majority of material found within 1930 - 1964