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Rec. no. |
Title |
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130. |
Rock
Paintings by the Aborigines in Caves on Bulgar Creek, near Singleton - 1893 |
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189. |
Aboriginal Rock Paintings and Carvings in New South Wales - 1894 |
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22. |
Aboriginal
Rock Pictures of Australia - 1894-95 |
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162. |
Australian Rock Pictures - 1895 |
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174. |
Rock
Paintings and Carvings of the Aborigines of New South Wales - 1895 |
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32. |
Australian
Ground and Tree Drawings - 1896 |
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129. |
The Rock
Paintings and Carvings of the Australian Aborigines - 1896 |
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194. |
Rock
Carving by the Australian Aborigines - 1896 |
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12. |
Aboriginal
Customs in North Queensland - 1897 |
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33. |
Australian
Rock Carvings - 1897 |
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168. |
Rock
Carvings and Paintings of the Australian Aborigines - 1897 |
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14. |
Aboriginal
Ground and Tree Drawings - 1898 |
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20. |
Aboriginal
Rock Carvings - 1898 |
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75. |
‘Rock
Carvings and Paintings by the Australian Aborigines’ (trans.) - 1898 |
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173. |
The Rock
Paintings and Carvings of the Australian Aborigines (Part II) - 1898 |
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169. |
Rock Art
- 1899 |
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172. |
Aboriginal Customs in North Queensland - 1899 |
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68. |
Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of the Northern Territory -
1900-01 |
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21. |
Aboriginal
Rock Pictures in Queensland - 1901 |
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85. |
Initiation
Ceremonies of the Wiradjuri Tribes - 1901 |
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127. |
Pictorial
Art Among the Australian Aborigines - 1901 |
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69. |
Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of Western Australia - 1903-04 |
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35. |
'Contributions to the Ethnography of the Australians' (transl.) - 1907 |
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117. |
Notes on
the Aborigines of New South Wales - 1907 |
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82. |
Initiation
Ceremonies of some Queensland Tribes - 1909-10 |
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128. |
'Plan of
some Drawings painted or carved on Rock by the Natives of New
South Wales, Australia' (transl.) - 1910 |
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145. |
Some Rock
Engravings of the Aborigines of New South Wales - 1910 |
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146. |
Some Rock
Pictures and Ceremonial Stones of the Australian Aborigines - 1910 |
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115. |
Notes on
some published Statements with regard to the Australian Aborigines - 1912 |
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53. |
Description of Two Bora Grounds of the Kamilaroi Tribe - 1917 |
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 130
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1893
Title: Rock Paintings by the Aborigines in Caves on Bulgar Creek,
near Singleton
Journal: Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South
Wales
Volume: 27
Pages: 353-58
Keywords: Baiame - stories and motifs
Rock art
Abstract: This short article was Mathews’ first ethnographic
publication. It describes two caves in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales,
containing Aboriginal rock art. Mathews first saw the caves in 1892 when he
was doing survey work for a farmer named Benjamin Richards. The caves are
located in the parishes of Whybrow and Milbrodale (about fifteen miles from
Singleton). One cave contained a dramatic figure which Mathews believed to
be Baiamai. Other stencils and motifs surround the figure. The second cave
contained hand stencils only. Mathews conjectured that the Baiamai cave had
been a site for ceremonial activity. There are illustrations of both sites.
This paper was read to the Royal Society of New South Wales at their meeting
of 4 October 1893. Mathews documented much more rock art in the greater
Sydney region after this date.
Notes: TRIBES
Not applicable.
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Singleton
2. Parish of Whybrow
3. Parish of Milbrodale
4. Bulgar Creek
5. Wollombi Brook
6. County of Northumberland
7. Bulgar Mountains
8. County of Hunter
9. Bulgar Inlet
10. Thomas Hayes' forty acres
INFORMANTS
1. 'Some of the residents' [of the district] (354).
2. Mr. W. G. McAlpin 'who is now eight-four years of age, and has resided in
the neighbourhood for the last fifty years' (356).
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Drawing - Plan showing position of Caves, parishes of Whybrow and
Milbrodale near Singleton.
2. Drawing - Drawings by Aborigines in Cave No. 1
3. Drawing - Drawings by Aborigines in Cave No. 2
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 189
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1894
Title: Aboriginal Rock Paintings and Carvings in New South Wales
Journal: Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria
Volume: 7 (new series)
Pages: 143-56
Keywords: Rock art
Material culture
Abstract: This is the first of six papers Mathews published in the
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. It describes and illustrates a
large number of rock art sites in New South Wales, all in the greater Sydney
region. The paper is part of a series of articles on rock art published
during the 1890s. Mathews began serious investigation of this subject when
preparing his essay ‘Rock Paintings and Carvings in New South Wales’ which
won the bronze medal of the Royal Society of New South Wales in 1894. The
style and analytical approach is similar in nearly all these rock art
articles. Mathews locates the site, usually by naming the County and parish
in which it is situated. Often he provides additional topographical
description that allows the reader to locate the site. He describes the
motifs in the rock art and speculates on the mode of production. There is
little analysis of the meaning of the art and no attempt to elicit the
opinions of local Aboriginal people about its significance. This and other
articles caused difficulties for Mathews within the Royal Society of New
South Wales. It was considered a duplication of his prize essay which the
NSW society had intended to publish. This article is unusual because it
contains speculations on the origins of the Aboriginal people. It urges
Victorians to do similar work in their own colony.
Notes: TRIBES
Not applicable.
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Portion 33, Parish of Wareng, County of Hunter
2. Coxs Creek, Portion 65, Parish of Coolcalwin, County of Phillip
3. Portion 81, Parish of Bulga, County of Hunter.
4. Red Hand Bay, a tributary of Middle Harbour, near Sydney.
5. Portion 4, Parish of Wilpinjong, County of Phillip.
6. Portion 42, Parish of Tollagong, County of Hunter.
7. Overlooking Cowan Creek, tributary of the Hawkesbury, near Tabor
Trigonometrical Station.
8. Track from Pymble to Cowan half a mile from Bobbin Trigonometrical
Station.
9. Portion 1140, Parish of Manly Cove, County of Cumberland.
10. Portion 1139, Parish of Manly Cove, County of Cumberland.
11. Portion 717, Parish of Manly Cove, County of Cumberland.
12. Portion 83, Parish of Narrabeen, County of Cumberland.
13. Paintings exist in Victoria: Victoria Range, County of Dundas and
eastern side of the Grampians, County of Borung.
INFORMANTS
1. Mr John Medhurst who lived on Wollombi Creek in 1840s.
2. Mr Earnest Favenc, 'who has travelled a great deal in Western Australia'
- info on Murchison District.
CORRESPONDENTS
1. Mr John Medhurst who lived on Wollombi Creek in 1840s.
2. Mr Earnest Favenc, 'who has travelled a great deal in Western Australia'
- info on Murchison District.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Two plates of rock carvings.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. 1893 paper: JPRSNSW
2. Erratum: 'I have since contributed a paper to the 'Journal of the Royal
Society of N. S. W.' (Vol. xxviii), in which this group will be shown in its
complete state.'
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 22
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1894-95
Title: Aboriginal Rock Pictures of Australia
Journal: Proceedings and Transactions of the Queensland Branch of the
Royal Geographical Society of Australasia
Volume: 10
Pages: 46-70
Keywords: Rock art
Abstract: This early rock art paper was evidently adapted from the
research conducted by Mathews for his essay ‘Rock Paintings and Carvings in
New South Wales’ which won the bronze medal of the Royal Society of New
South Wales in 1894. Using direct observation, historical research and
communications with correspondents, he gives a wide-ranging survey of rock
art across much of mainland Australia. The paper concludes with detailed
descriptions of paintings and carvings around Sydney and environs. Two
plates illustrate this section of the article. The style and analytical
approach is similar in nearly all these rock art articles. Mathews locates
the site, usually by naming the County and parish in which it is situated.
Often he provides additional topographical description that allows the
reader to locate the site. He describes the motifs in the rock art and
speculates on the mode of production. There is little analysis of the
meaning of the art. This and other articles caused difficulties for Mathews
within the Royal Society of New South Wales. It was considered a duplication
of his prize essay which the NSW society had intended to publish. Mathews
made a minor correction to this paper in ‘Rock Carvings of the Australian
Aborigines’ (1899).
Notes: TRIBES
Not applicable.
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Chasm Island on the western side of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Queensland
2. Prince Charlotte Bay on the eastern side of York Penninsula, Queensland
3. Upper Glenelg River in the Kimberley District of Western Australia
4. Avon River ten miles south of the town of York in Western Australia
5. Roes Downs between Wickham and Victoria rivers, Northern Territory
6. Wollombi, New South Wales
7. Central Australia
8. Western Australia
9. Leichhardt River, Queensland
10. Caves at Mount Anderson, near the Fitzroy River, Western Australia
11. Botany Bay
12. Port Jackson
13. Kimberley District of Western Australia
14. Depuch Island in the Forestier Group, lying off the coast of Western
Australia
15. Murchison district of Western Australia
16. Localities throughout South Australia from the southern counties to the
Gulf of Carpentaria and Port Darwin
17. From Cape York in Queensland to the suthern limits of the colony
18. Eastern side of the Victoria Range, County of Dundas in Victoria
19. North-eastern side of the Grampians in the County of Borung.
20. McDonnell Ranges
21. Oscar Ranges in the Kimberley district of Western Australia
22. Runs on the headwaters of the Flinders River and its tributaries,
Queensland
23. Blanchewater on Taylors Creek, a tributary of Lake Blanche, South
Australia
24. Paratoo and Oulnina
25. Badavia River, York Penninsula, Queensland
26. Cave in the Parish of Wilpinjong, County of Phillip
27. Rock shelter in the Parish of Tollagong, County of Hunter
28. Parish of Macdonald, County of Hunter
29. Rock Shelter in Parish of Murrumbo, County of Phillip
30. Escarpment in Parish of Macdonald, County of Hunter
31. Cave in Parish of Saint Albans, County of Northumberland
32. Coxs Creek, Parish of Dabee, County of Phillip
33. Flat rock in the vicinity of Cooper Trigonometrical Station, Parish of
Frederick, County of Cumberland.
34. Large flat rock in Parish of Wonga, County of Hunter
35. Flat rock on the ridge dividing Macdonald River and Webbs Creek.
36. Flat sandstone in Parish of Manly Cove, County of Cumberland
37. Flat sandstone on the track from Pymble to Cowan Creek
38. Block of sandstone on Cowan Creek near Cockle Creek junction in the
Parish of Gordon, County of Cumberland
39. Sandstone mass near the Taber Trigonometrical Station, Parish of Broken
Bay, County of Cumberland
INFORMANTS
Not applicable.
CORRESPONDENTS
1. 'information from a resident of Wollombi, New South Wales' (49)
2. W. W. Froggatt informed him of impressed hands. (50)
3. Mr E. Favenc from the Murchison district of Western Australia (56)
4. Mr C. Winnecke
5. A corresonpondent who observed rock carvings at the head of the Batavia
River (60)
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Plate - 'Aboriginal Paintings' - depicting eight sets of paintings.
2. Plate - Aboriginal Rock Carvings - depicting fifteen carvings or sets of
carvings.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. The prize paper 'Aboriginal Rock Carvings and Paintings in New South
Wales'.
2. 'Some Stone Implements Used by the Aborigines of New South Wales' (1895)
3. 'Aboriginal Rock Paintings and Carvings in New South Wales' (1894)
CROSS REFERENCES
‘Rock Carvings of the Australian Aborigines’ (1899) makes a minor correction
to page 69 of this paper.
MS in Royal Geog Soc Qld
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 162
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1895
Title: Australian Rock Pictures
Journal: American Anthropologist
Volume: 8
Pages: 268-78
Keywords: Rock art
Abstract: This is Mathews’ first article in an American publication
and the first of the many he contributed to American Anthropologist. Being
largely descriptive, and being mainly concerned with the rock art of the
Sydney basin, it is similar in approach to the other articles he published
on this subject during his early anthropological years. He generally names
the County and parish in which the example of rock art is situated. Often he
provides additional topographical description that allows the reader to
locate the site. He describes the motifs in the rock art and speculates on
the mode of production. There is little analysis of the meaning of the art.
Two plates illustrate the article. Mathews points to the lack of scholarly
interest in Aboriginal rock art and emphasises the distinction between rock
paintings and carvings (engravings). He observes that much rock art is
degenerating and claims that his labour of documentation has ‘rescued it
from oblivion’.
Notes: TRIBES
Not applicable.
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Harris Creek
2. Parish of Eckersley
3. County of Cumberland
4. Georges River
5. Mangrove Creek
6. Hawkesbury River
7. Pymble
8. Cowan Creek
9. Bobbin Trigonometrical station
10. Parish of Gordon
11. Pitt Water Road
12. Parish of Narrabeen
13. Manly Cove
14. Jones Trigonometrical station
15. Deadman Creek
16. Woronora River
17. Macdonald River
18. Webb Creek
19. Parish of Macdonald
20. Parish of Wonga
21. County of Hunter
22. Botany Bay
INFORMANTS
Not applicable.
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Drawing - Rock paintings in New South Wales (unnumbered)
2. Drawing - Rock carvings in New South Wales (unnumbered)
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Rock carvings and paintings, Royal Society of New South Wales (268).
2. Rock carvings and paintings, Royal Society of Victoria (268).
3. Drawings and colours, Royal Society of Victoria (268).
4. Execution of native paintings and carvings, Royal Society of Victoria,
Royal Society of New South Wales (270).
5. States that, 'In my previous papers I have separated the subject under
the two heads indicated, and will continue this distinction in the present
memoir' (see 'other notes') (270).
6. Article published by Royal Society of Victoria on paintings and carvings
(274).
7. Circular objects carved on rocks, Royal Society of Victoria (278).
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Reference Type: Book Section
Record Number: 174
Author: Mathews, R. H.; Enright, W. J.
Year: 1895
Title: Rock Paintings and Carvings of the Aborigines of New South
Wales
Editor: Shirley, John
Book Title: Report of the Sixth Meeting of the Australasian
Association for the Advancement of Science, held at Brisbane, Queensland,
January, 1895
City: Brisbane
Publisher: Published by the Association
Volume: 6
Pages: 1-14
Keywords: Rock art
Abstract: This is the first of only two articles in which Mathews
collaborated with another writer. His co-author was W. J. Enright, a
solicitor and amateur ethnologist from the town of Maitland north of Sydney.
As Enright explains in the section of the paper attributed to him, his
interest in Aboriginal rock art was prompted by newspaper reportage of
Mathews’ presentation ‘Rock Paintings by the Aborigines in Caves on Bulgar
Creek, near Singleton’ which was read before the Royal Society of New South
Wales in 1893. Enright was inspired to launch his own investigations, and he
continued to regard Mathews as something of a mentor throughout his life.
The paper covers the following aspects of rock art: early history;
geographical range; production of paintings; production of carvings;
probable age and significance. While the bulk of rock art sites discussed in
the paper were observed by the authors around Sydney and the Hunter Valley,
various historical descriptions, including accounts by John White and
Matthew Flinders, are cited. Certain memories of older settlers are recorded
and the beliefs of contemporary Aboriginal people are briefly mentioned. A
white resident told Enright that local blacks dreaded one of the caves
described in the article. The paper is illustrated by two plates, both drawn
by Mathews.
Notes: TRIBES MENTIONED
Not applicable.
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Wollombi district, NSW
2. Port Jackson, NSW
3. Chasm Island
4. Gulf of Carpentaria
5. Port Darwin
6. Cape York
7. Victoria Range
8. County of Dundas
9. The Grampians
10. County of Borung
11. Murchison district, WA
12. County of Cumberland
13. Pittwater Road
14. Parish of Narrabeen
15. Manly Cove
16. Peats Ferry
17. Sydney
18. Vize Trigonometrical Station
19. Parish of Cowan
20. Broken Bay
21. Cowan Creek
22. Wallaroo Trigonometrical Station
23. Parish of Broken Bay
24. Mangrove Creek
25. Parish of Spencer
26. County of Northumberland
27. Hawkesbury Railway Station
28. Calabash Creek
29. Berowra Creek
30. Parish of Berowra
31. Parish of Gordon
32. Cooper Trigonometrical Station
33. Parish of Frederick
34. Tabor Trigonometrical Station
35. Hawkesbury River
36. Kangaroo Point
37. Frenchmans Bay
38. Bare Island
39. Parish of Botany
40. La Perouse Monument
41. Kangaroo Bay
42. Parish of Wonga
INFORMANTS
1. 'old residents' (1).
2. 'reliable sources' (3).
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Drawing - Aboriginal Rock Carvings of Australia (unnumbered - at end of
article).
2. Drawing - Aboriginal Paintings of Australia (unnumbered - at end of
article).
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Paper on rock pictures, Royal Geographical Society of Australasia
Queensland proceedings (2).
2. Paper on Aboriginal rock paintings and carvings, Royal Society of
Victoria proceedings (13).
3. Paper on Aboriginal rock pictures, Royal Geographical Society of
Australasia Queensland proceedings (14).
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Reference Type: Edited Book**
Record Number: 32
Editor: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1896
Title: Australian Ground and Tree Drawings
Series Title: American Anthropologist
Volume: 9
Keywords: Baiame - stories and motifs
Sand and ground designs
Tree carvings
Abstract: By the time this article was printed in 1896, Mathews had
published five papers on rock art. But this was the first to specifically
discuss ground and tree drawings, many of which were produced by Aboriginal
people for ceremonial purposes. The article commences by reviewing
literature on this subject. Numerous authors are quoted including William
Ridley, E. M. Curr and A. W. Howitt. The most original parts of the article
are those in which Mathews provides detailed descriptions of ground and tree
drawings that he has personally observed in New South Wales. They are
illustrated in a black and white plate. The art discussed was observed on
Gnoura Gnoura Creek near the town of Kunopia (the work of Kamilaroi people)
and on Bulgeraga Creek, a branch of the Macquarie River (the work of
Wiradjuri people). Mathews also illustrates and describes some of the motifs
cut into the ground at Gundabloui for the ceremonies described in his
article ‘The Bora, or Initiation Ceremonies of the Kamilaroi Tribe’ (1895)
and related publications. […]. Mathews reveals that European materials were
being used in one of the tree drawings described: ‘[m]y aboriginal guide
told me the blue colour here used was obtained from white people, and is
that used in washing clothes.’ He does not name his Aboriginal informant(s)
in the article. However, in ‘Description of Two Bora Grounds of the
Kamilaroi Tribe’ (1918) Mathews again described his visit to Gnoura Gnoura
Creek and stated that two Kamilaroi men, Billy Wightman (which he had
previously spelled Whiteman) and Jimmy Gular, had showed him around the
site.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Kamilaroi
2. Wiradthuri
3. Port Macquarie tribe
4. Breeaba
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Wellington, NSW
2. Cape York Peninsula, QLD
3. County of Karkarooe, VIC
4. Bega, NSW
5. Moonie River
6. Nindigully
7. Lower Gilbert River
8. Gulf of Carpentaria
9. Townsville, QLD
10. Charters Towers, QLD
11. Herbert River, QLD
12. Hinchinbrook Island
13. Dungeness
14. Beltana, SA
15. Gnoura Gnoura Creek, NSW
16. Kunopia, Parish of Boonanga, County of Benarba, NSW
17. Macquarie River
18. Parish of Wullamgambone, country of Gregory, NSW
19. Parish of Gundabloui, County of Finch, NSW
20. 'Gundabloui', NSW
21. Castlereagy River
22. Barwan River
23. Lachlan River, NSW
24. Wollombi district, NSW
25. Prince Regents River, WA
26. Marchant Springs, SA
27. Finke River, SA
28. Lower Murrumbidgee River
29. Murray River
30. Darling River
31. Diamantina River, QLD
32. Leichardt River, QLD
33. Bulgeraga Creek, Parish of Wullamgambone, NSW
INFORMANTS
1. Mr. J. K. McKay (35) 'informs me that ... he saw a figure made by the
aborigines on the right bank of Moonie river' (35).
2. 'A gentleman who has been engaged on stations in northern Queensland'
(37).
3. Mr. J. W. Fawcett (37).
4. Mr. S. Gason, of Beltana, South Australia (37).
5. Mr. C. Winnecke (37).
6. 'My aboriginal guide' (43)
7. 'old residents of the back country' in QLD (47)
CORRESPONDENTS
1. 'A gentleman who has been engaged on stations in northern Queensland'
(37).
2. Mr. J. W. Fawcett (37).
3. Mr. S. Gason, of Beltana, South Australia (37).
4. Mr. C. Winnecke (37).
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Plate of line drawings showing 36 figures - 'Australian ground and tree
drawings'.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Refers to 'recording and describing with some measure of success the rock
pictures of the Australian aborigines' (33).
2. Refers to work on Bora at Gundabloui (34).
3. Refers to description of figures '[i]n my paper on 'The Bora or
Initiation Ceremonies of the Kamilaroi Tribe'...' (36).
4. Refers to description of gigantic iguana figure '[i]n my paper on an
'Aboriginal Bora held at Gundabloui in 1894' ... ' (36).
5. Refers to figures provided in paper 'The Bora or Initiation Ceremonies of
the Kamilaroi Tribe' (39).
6. Refers to marked trees in paper 'The Bora or Initiation Ceremonies of the
Kamilaroi Tribe' (43).
7. Refers to […] figures […] described in paper 'The Bora or Initiation
Ceremonies of the Kamilaroi Tribe' (48).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Australian Ground and Tree Drawings (1896)
Additional Remarks Concerning Aboriginal Bora Held at Gundabloui in 1894
Aboriginal Bora held at Gundabloui in 1894 (1894)
The Bora, or Initiation Ceremonies of the Kamilaroi Tribe (1895)
The Bora, or, Initiation Ceremonies of the Kamilaroi Tribe: Part 2 (1896)
The Burbung of the Wiradthuri Tribes (1896)
The Burbung of the Wiradthuri Tribes (Part II) (1897)
The Burbung, or Initiation Ceremonies of the Murrumbidgee Tribes
The Victorian Aborigines : Their Initiation Ceremonies and Divisional
Systems (1898)
Initiation Ceremonies of the Wiradjuri Tribes (1901)
The Burbung of the Wiradthuri Tribes (1900)
‘Description of Two Bora Grounds of the Kamilaroi Tribe’ (1918)
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 129
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1896
Title: The Rock Paintings and Carvings of the Australian Aborigines
Journal: Journal of the Anthropological Institute
Volume: 25
Pages: 145-63
Keywords: Rock art
Abstract: The article on Aboriginal rock art adheres closely to the
formula established by Mathews in the numerous articles he published on this
subject during the 1890s. He gives an overview of historical literature in
which rock art is mentioned. The most original parts of the article are
those in which he describes examples of rock art he has personally observed.
These occur in the Sydney region and in the Hunter Valley to the north.
Mathews describes the motifs in the rock art and speculates on the mode of
production. He does not attempt to elicit the opinions of local Aboriginal
people about its significance. Mathews speculates that rock art pictures
might be ‘ideographic expressions of events in the history of the tribe;
certain groupings of figures may pourtray [sic] some well-known legend; many
of the animals probably represent totems; and it is likely that a number of
them were executed for pastime and amusement.’ He does not believe that
Aboriginal rock art is of great antiquity. The article is illustrated with
three plates containing line drawings. Mathews claims that drawing is vastly
superior to photography in the documentation of Aboriginal art. A sequel
titled ‘The Rock Paintings and Carvings of the Australian Aborigines (Part
II)’ was published by the Journal of the Anthropological Institute in 1898.
It makes a minor correction to this paper.
Notes: TRIBES
Not applicable.
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Depuch Island
2. Sydney
3. Murchison WA
4. Glenelg River WA
5. Avon River WA
6. Prince Regents River WA
7. The overland telegraph line to Port Darwin
8. Gulf of Carpentaria
9. Shoalhaven River NSW
10. Woronora River NSW
11. Hawkesbury River NSW
12. Hunter River NSW
13. Cudgegong River NSW
14. Merriwa River NSW
15. Talbragar River NSW
16. Clarence River NSW
17. Cape York QLD
18. Prince Charlottes Bay QLD
19. Leichardt River QLD
20. Flinders River QLD
21. Mitchell River QLD
22. Cape River QLD
23. Herbert River QLD
24. Dawson River QLD
25. Victoria Rang VIC
26. The Grampians, County of Borung, VIC
27. Pigeon Creek QLD
28. Batavia River
29. Finke River SA
30. Parish of Tupa, County of Hunter
31. Parish of Auburn, County of Northumberland
32. Macdonald River
33. The right bank of Cutta Muttan Creek (!)
34. Coxs Creek
35. Parish of Coolcalwin, County of Phillip
36. Parish of Lockyer, County of Northumberland
37. Broosalum Creek
38. Cowan Creek
39. Pymble
40. Cowan
41. Jacomb Trigonometrical Station, Parish of Gordon, County of Cumberland
42. Cooper Trigonometrical Station, Parish of Frederick, County of
Cumberland
43. Parish of Spencer, County of Northumberland
44. Mangrove Creek
45. Jones Trigonometrical Station, Parish of Manly Cove, County of
Cumberland
INFORMANTS
1. 'Correspondents' who have seen hand impressions in the Kimberley (148).
2. Mr. E. Favenc of the Murchison District, WA (150).
3. 'an old an respected resident of the Wollombi District of New South
Wales, who had seen the stencilling done by the natives, and who was able to
give me particulars … ' (153).
4. Mr. W. J. Enright, B.A., of West Maitland: 'For this Fig. … I am indebted
to Mr. W. J. Enright, B.A., of West Maitland, who takes a great interest in
this subject' (159). Informant or otherwise?
CORRESPONDENTS
1. 'Correspondents' who have seen hand impressions in the Kimberley (148).
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Drawing - Aboriginal rock carvings.
2. Drawing - Aboriginal rock paintings.
3. Drawing - Aboriginal rock paintings.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Article on rock paintings at Bulgar Creek, New South Wales, contributed
to Royal Society of New South Wales (146).
2. Article on rock paintings, contributed to Royal Society of New South
Wales 'for which I was awarded the Society's Medal' (146).
3. Paper on rock paintings contributed to Royal Society of Victoria (146).
4. Paper on rock pictures contributed Royal Geographical Society of
Australasia (146).
5. Kamilaroi Bora paper contributed to Journal of the Anthropological
Institute of Great Britain (154).
6. Paper on Bora held at Gundabloui contributed to Journal of the Royal
Society of New South Wales (155).
7. Paper on rock paintings in New South Wales, Royal Society of Victoria
(158).
8. 1895 article in American Anthropologist on Australian rock pictures
(161).
CROSS REFERENCES
'The Rock Paintings and Carvings of the Australian Aborigines (Part II)'
(1898), page 541, contains an erratum for lines 9 and 10 on page 158 of this
article.
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 194
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1896
Title: Rock Carving by the Australian Aborigines
Journal: Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland
Volume: 12
Pages: 97-98
Keywords: Rock art
Abstract: This short article is the first of three papers that
Mathews published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland. It
presents concrete evidence on a matter about which Mathews had previously
been uncertain: whether the tradition of Aboriginal rock engraving (or
carving) had continued after European contact. The engraving discussed here
shows a white man who is wearing a cabbage tree hat and carrying an axe. It
is carved into a flat mass of Hawkesbury sandstone in the parish of
Wilberforce, County of Cook, New South Wales. Mathews ascertained from a
Darkinung informant, ‘a native named 'Andy'’, that the engraving was made by
an Aboriginal man named Hiram in the 1850s. The artist used a European axe
rather than the traditional implements.
Notes: TRIBES MENTIONED
Not applicable.
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Wollombi
2. 'The carving is on a large flat mass of Hawkesbury Sandstone, level with
the surface of the ground, within Portion No. 146 of 79 3/4 acres, in the
Parish of Wilberforce, County of Cook. The figure is close to the western
side of a road reserved through the Portion mentioned; and may also be
described as being a few chains in a north-westerly direction from the
north-east corner of Portion No. 14 of 40 acres, in the same parish and
county.'
INFORMANTS
1. 'a native named "Andy"'
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Black and white plate showing the carving - a European figure carrying an
axe.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. 'Aboriginal Rock Paintings and Carvings in New South Wales' (1894).
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 12
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1897
Title: Aboriginal Customs in North Queensland
Journal: Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland
Volume: 13
Pages: 33-37
Keywords: Ceremonies - initiation
Kinship and marriage
Sand and ground designs
Subincision
Tree carvings
Abstract: This is the second of the three articles that Mathews
published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland. It was read
at a meeting of the society on 11 September 1897. It is a short and very
general article on North Queensland, evidently intended to encourage other
settlers to take up ethnological research. The data are organised under the
following headings: ‘Class Systems’ (viz kinship and marriage customs);
‘Initiation Ceremonies’; ‘Incision’ (viz subincision); ‘Rock Pictures’;
‘Ground Drawings’; and ‘Marked Trees’. Some historical sources are quoted,
but otherwise it is not clear how Mathews obtained his information. Little,
if any, was based on personal inquiry. Although a minor article, it is of
some significance in that it reveals growing differences between Mathews and
his Victorian rival A. W. Howitt. Describing the kinship and marriage laws
of the tribes along the Leichhardt, Cloncurry, Flinders, Norman, Gilbert,
Mitchell and Kennedy rivers, Mathews remarks: ‘[i]t has been said that some
of these tribes have agnatic [patrilineal] descent; but I now think this is
very doubtful.’ The question of whether an individual’s position in the
kinship system was determined by their father or mother was a controversial
question at this time. In the case of Queensland, Mathews tended to argue
for matrilineal descent, whereas Howitt believed that descent was determined
by the father. A later article, also titled ‘Aboriginal Customs in North
Queensland’ (1899), is a near duplication of this one. In ‘Sociology of some
Australian Tribes’ (1905) Mathews modified his view that the Australian
moieties are exogamous. He requested that '[i]n any of my previous
articles…in which it may be stated that an aboriginal community comprises
"two exogamous divisions," the reader is requested to substitute "two
principal divisions"’. In ‘Note on the Social Organisation of the Turrubul
and adjacent Tribes’ (1907) Mathews pointed to Howitt’s continuing neglect
of criticisms made in this article.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Kamilaroi
2. Wiradjuri
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Gulf of Carpentaria
2. Leichhardt River
3. Cloncurry River
4. Flinders River
5. Norman River
6. Gilbert River
7. Mitchell River
8. Kennedy River
9. Cape York Peninsula
10. Princess Charlottes Bay
11. Main Dividing Range
12. Great Australian Bight
13. Port Lincoln
14. Mulligan River
15. Dawson River
16. Batavia River
INFORMANTS
1. 'an old blackfellow on the Dawson river who had seen the paintings done
when he was a youth' (36).
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. General reference to work on customs (see 'other notes') (33).
2. Work on Kamilaroi organisation (33).
3. Initiation ceremonies in New South Wales (34).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'Aboriginal Customs in North Queensland', Science of Man (1899) is a near
duplication of this article.
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 33
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1897
Title: Australian Rock Carvings
Journal: Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society
Volume: 36
Pages: 195-208
Keywords: Rock art
Abstract: This was the first of the 23 articles Mathews published in
the Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. It was read before
the society on 7 May 1897. Adding to Mathews’ now substantial corpus of rock
art publications, it lists and describes 61 examples of rock carvings in the
greater Sydney region of New South Wales. He describes the motifs depicted
and speculates on the mode of production. There is little analysis of the
meaning of the art and no attempt to elicit the opinions of local Aboriginal
people about its significance. All the carvings described are illustrated as
line drawings in a black and white plate. A later article, ‘Rock Carvings
and Paintings of the Australian Aborigines’ (1897), concludes with an
erratum listing five corrections to this article.
Notes: TRIBES
Not applicable.
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. The old road from Peats Ferry to Sydney
2. Parish of Cowan
3. Parish of Broken Bay
4. Smith Creek
5. Coal Creek
6. Candle Creek
7. Parish of Manly Cove
8. Cowan Creek
9. Cockle Creek
10. Parish of Gordon
11. Pymble
12. Pittwater
13. Parish of Narrabeen
INFORMANTS
Not applicable.
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Drawing: line figure reproductions of 61 rock carvings.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Refers to reading paper on 'The Aboriginal Rock Carvings and Paintings at
a meeting of the Royal Society of New South Wales for which he was awarded
the Society's medal (1).
2. Contributions on same subject to Anthropological Institute of Great
Britain (1).
3. Contributions on same subject to the Royal Society of Victoria (1-2).
4. Contributions on same subject to Royal Geographical Society of Australia
(2).
5. Numerous references to own previously-published articles on same subject
(2).
CROSS-REFERENCES
‘Rock Carvings and Paintings of the Australian Aborigines’ (1897) - contains
erratum to this article on page 478.
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 168
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1897
Title: Rock Carvings and Paintings of the Australian Aborigines
Journal: Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society
Volume: 36
Pages: 466-78
Keywords: Rock art
Abstract: This article is a further contribution to Mathews’ now
well-established corpus of papers on rock art. It opens with an overview of
the subject, quoting a few mentions of rock art in historical sources.
Mathews describes the ways in which rock paintings and carvings are
produced. He describes a number of art sites in the greater Sydney region,
all of which are illustrated. In an observation unusual in his rock art
publications, Mathews mentions how he discussed the subject with members of
the Darkinung community who traditionally resided north of Sydney. They
stated that as boys they had seen rock art being painted and carved during
the period 1843-55. (Perhaps this is the same informant mentioned in
Mathews’ 1896 publication ‘Rock Carving by the Australian Aborigines’.) The
article concludes with an erratum for Mathews’ article ‘Australian Rock
Carvings’ (1897).
Notes: TRIBES
1. Darkinung
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Chasm Island
2. Gulf of Carpentaria
3. Hunter River
4. Hawkesbury River
5. Depuch Island
6. Clacks Island
7. Prince Charlottes bay QLD
8. Glenelg River WA
9. Parish of Bulga
10. County of Hunter
11. Wareng Creek
12. Parish of Coolcalwin
13. County of Phillip
14. Jollys Downfall Creek
15. Parish of Merroo
16. County of Cook
INFORMANTS
1. 'a few natives who told me that when they were boys … ' (468).
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Drawing - cave pictures (unnumbered).
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Plate of drawings - American Philosophical Society (471-2).
RELATED ARTICLES
‘Australian Rock Carvings’ (1897)
‘Rock Carving by the Australian Aborigines’ (1896)
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Reference Type: Journal Article**
Record Number: 14
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1898
Title: Aboriginal Ground and Tree Drawings
Journal: Science of Man
Volume: 1 (new series)
Issue: 8
Pages: 185-87
Keywords: Baiame - stories and motifs
Sand and ground designs
Tree carvings
Abstract: This is Mathews’ first contribution to Science of Man, a
magazine published by the Anthropological Association of Australasia.
Mathews seems to have regarded this publication less seriously than the
scientific journals in which he mostly published. In the bulk of his Science
of Man contributions, he reworked material published elsewhere. This is true
of this publication, as Mathews acknowledges in an explanatory note. The
article opens with an overview on the subject of ground and tree designs.
The bulk of the article involves description of 29 earth designs and tree
designs, all of which are illustrated. All were personally observed by
Mathews in various parts of New South Wales. They include many motifs seen
at ceremonial grounds […]. Some material in this publication has been drawn
from Mathews’ article ‘Australian Ground and Tree Drawings’ (1896).
Notes: TRIBES
1. Wiradjuri / Wiradjura [sic]
2. Kamilaroi
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. County of Karkarooe VIC
2. Moonie River
3. Nindigully
4. Beltana SA
5. Macquarie River
6. Parish of Wullamgambone NSW
7. County of Gregory NSW
8. Gnoura Gnoura Creek
9. Kunopia NSW
10. Parish of Boonanga NSW
11. County of Benarba NSW
12. Tallwood QLD
13. County of Carnarvon QLD
14. Parish of Gundabloui
15. Castlereagh River
16. Macintyre River
17. Culgoa River
18. Lachlan River
19. Murray River
20. Darling River
21. Diamantina River QLD
22. Leichardt River QLD
23. Bulgeraga Creek
INFORMANTS
1. Mr. J. McKay (185) who 'informs me that upwards of thirty years ago he
saw a figure made by the aborigines on the right bank of Moonie river'
(185).
2. Mr. C. Winnecke, of Adelaide 'informs me that it is a frequent pastime of
the natives … to select a clay-pan, and on its flat surface to outline
circles, squares … ' (185).
CORRESPONDENTS
1. Mr. J. McKay? (185)
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Drawing - tree carvings (187).
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Provides list at end of article, referring to work published in/by
Journal of the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain, Royal Society of
New South Wales, Anthropological Society of Washington, Royal Society of
Victoria (187).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
‘Description of Two Bora Grounds of the Kamilaroi Tribe’ (1918).
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 20
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1898
Title: Aboriginal Rock Carvings
Journal: Science of Man
Volume: 1 (new series)
Issue: 2
Pages: 34-35
Keywords: Rock art
Abstract: This article appeared in Science of Man, a magazine
published by the Anthropological Association of Australasia. Mathews seems
to have regarded this publication less seriously than the scientific
journals in which he mostly published. In the bulk of his Science of Man
contributions, he reworked material published elsewhere. This is true of
this publication, as Mathews acknowledges when he states pointedly that none
of his rock art papers has been published in New South Wales (undoubtedly a
reference to the refusal of the Royal Society of New South Wales to publish
his essay ‘Rock Paintings and Carvings in New South Wales’ which won the
Society’s bronze medal in 1894). The text of this article, less than half a
page in length, briefly describes various rock carvings found in the greater
Sydney region. An accompanying plate of line drawings portrays 71 examples
of rock carving. By 1898, the year this was published, Mathews had already
published nine articles on rock art (see RELATED PUBLICATIONS).
Notes: TRIBES
Not applicable.
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. County of Northumberland
2. County of Cumberland
INFORMANTS
Not applicable.
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Drawing - Aboriginal Rock carvings Found in New South Wales (34)
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Mathews refers in a general sense to his other papers on this subject
(see 'other notes') (35).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
‘Rock Paintings by the Aborigines in Caves on Bulgar Creek, near Singleton’
(1893)
‘Aboriginal Rock Paintings and Carvings in New South Wales’ (1894)
‘Aboriginal Rock Pictures of Australia’ (1894-5)
‘Australian Rock Pictures’ (1895)
‘Rock Paintings and Carvings of the Aborigines of New South Wales’ (1895)
‘The Rock Paintings and Carvings of the Australian Aborigines’ (1896)
‘Rock Carving by the Australian Aborigines’ (1896)
‘Australian Rock Carvings’ (1897)
‘Rock Carvings and Paintings of the Australian Aborigines’ (1897)
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 75
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1898
Title: Gravures et peintures sur rochers par les Aborigènes
d'Australie
Journal: Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d'Anthropologie de Paris
Volume: 9 (4th Series)
Pages: 425-32
Keywords: Rock art
Abstract: ‘Rock Carvings and Paintings by the Australian Aborigines’
(trans.) is the first of Mathews’ nine French language publications. Like
the majority of his articles in French, it was published by Bulletins et
Mémoires de la Société d’Anthropologie de Paris, a leading anthropological
journal. It was originally read at a meeting of the society, based in Paris.
Although Mathews seems to have had a basic knowledge of French and German,
there is no evidence that he could write professionally in either language.
A translator is credited in many of his French publications, and although
none is acknowledged here, it is most likely that Mathews drafted the
article in English. In 2004 the French text was translated back into English
by Mathilde de Hauteclocque for inclusion in the Mirranen Archive. The
subject of the paper is Sydney rock art. While Mathews had already written
extensively on this theme, this article is unique in several ways. He
discusses Aboriginal rock art in the vicinity of La Perouse on Botany Bay
east of Sydney, so named because it was visited by the French explorer Comte
de la Pérouse in 1788. Mathews anticipated that this historical link would
be of special interest to a French audience. Much of the article is
concerned with La Pérouse’s visit and various memorials to him. The article
is also unusual in that Mathews describes the Aboriginal community residing
at La Perouse. He enlisted the support of several Aboriginal residents when
interpreting local rock engravings. They told him the rock art ‘was the work
of their ancestors’, made long before the arrival of whites. Mathews also
describes two caves containing hand stencils and other motifs. One was near
Coxs Creek in the vicinity of Rylestone. The other was on Dural Creek, north
of Sydney. Mathews supplies a map of Botany Bay and illustrations of the
rock art discussed. The article concludes with a section headed ‘Discussion’
in which a M. Capitan makes favourable comments about the paper, comparing
Aboriginal rock art to the productions of other ‘prehistoric periods’. In
‘Relevé de quelques dessins gravés ou peints sur rochers par les indigènes
de la Nouvelle Galles du Sud (Australie)’ (1910) Mathews described further
examples of Sydney rock art for a French audience.
Notes: TRIBES
Not applicable.
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. La Perouse
2. Botany Bay
3. Sydney
4. Frenchmans Bay
5. Coxs Creek
6. Parish of Coolcalwin, County of Phillip
7. Dural Creek
8. Parish of Coonbaralba, County of Hunter
INFORMANTS
1. Unnamed residents of the La Perouse Aboriginal community.
CORRESPONDENTS
Nil.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Map of La Perouse on Botany Bay.
2. Line drawings of rock engravings at La Perouse.
3. Cave paintings near Coxs Creek.
4. Cave paintings near Dural Creek.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. An ‘essay which I forwarded to the Anthropological Institute of Great
Britain’.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
In ‘Relevé de quelques dessins gravés ou peints sur rochers par les
indigènes de la Nouvelle Galles du Sud (Australie)’ (1910) Mathews described
further examples of Sydney rock art for a French audience.
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 173
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1898
Title: The Rock Paintings and Carvings of the Australian Aborigines
(Part II)
Journal: Journal of the Anthropological Institute
Volume: 27
Pages: 532-41
Keywords: Rock art
Abstract: This article is an adjunct to 'The Rock Paintings and
Carvings of the Australian Aborigines' (1895) which was also published by
the Journal of the Anthropological Institute. Following the formula
established in his numerous writings on this subject, the article describes
and illustrates carvings and paintings observed by the author around Sydney
and environs. There is little attempt to interpret the art described. The
paper concludes with a minor correction of the earlier publication.
Notes: TRIBES
Not applicable.
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. County of Cumberland
2. Red Hand, or Quakers Hat Bay
3. Long Bay
4. Middle Harbour
5. Port Jackson
6. Parish of Willoughby
7. Hawkesbury River
8. Wattle Creek
9. Wilpinjong Creek
10. County of Phillip
11. Back Gully
12. Parish of Tollagong
13. County of Hunter
14. Putty Creek
15. Howes Valley
16. Putty
17. Parish of Wareng
18. Parish of Wilpinjong
19. Battery Reserve
20. Bumborah Point
21. Parish of Botany
22. Gordon railway station
23. Pittwater
24. Parish of Narrabeen
25. Peats Ferry
26. Sydney
27. Vize Trigonometrical Station
28. Parish of Cowan
29. Berrys Bay
30. Parish of Alexandria
31. Parish of Broken Bay
32. Taber Trigonometrical Station
33. Point Piper
34. Rose Bay
35. Double Bay
36. Berowra Creek
37. Cowan Creek
38. Parish of Spencer
39. County of Northumberland
40. Mangrove Creek
41. Wilberforce
42. County of Cook
43. Cooper Trigonometrical Station
44. Parish of Frederick
45. 'Wheelbarrow Ridge' from the Colo River
46. Dural
47. Wisemans Ferry
48. Coopers Creek
INFORMANTS
Not applicable.
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Drawings - Aboriginal rock paintings (unnumbered - before first page)
2. Drawings - Aboriginal rock paintings (unnumbered - between pages 535 and
536).
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. 1895 paper on rock paintings and carvings, Journal of the Anthropological
Institute (532).
2. Paper on paintings in Royal Society of Victoria proceedings (535).
3. Paintings described in Royal Geographical Society of Australasia
Queensland proceedings (535).
4. Paper on rock pictures, published in Royal Geographical Society of
Australasia Queensland proceedings (536).
CROSS REFERENCES
Makes a minor correction 'Rock Paintings and Carvings of the Australian
Aborigines' (1896).
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 169
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1899
Title: Rock Art
Journal: Proceedings and Transactions of the Queensland Branch of the
Royal Geographical Society of Australasia
Volume: 14
Pages: 9-11
Keywords: Rock art
Abstract: Adhering to the formula established in Mathews' numerous
writings on this subject, the article describes and illustrates eighteen
Aboriginal rock carvings observed by the author around Sydney and environs.
There is little attempt to interpret the art described. An erratum at the
end of this paper makes a minor correction to 'Aboriginal Rock Pictures of
Australia' (1894-95).
Notes: TRIBES
Not applicable.
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. County of Cumberland
2. Parish of Manly Cove
3. Dural
4. Wisemans Ferry
5. Parish of Frederick
6. Berrys Bay
7. Port Jackson
8. Parish of Willoughby
9. Hawkesbury River
10. Parish of Spencer
11. County of Northumberland
INFORMANTS
Not applicable.
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Drawing - Rock Carvings of the Australian Aborigines (unnumbered).
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. General articles contributed to Royal Geographical Society of Australasia
on rock pictures (9).
2. Drawing at Parish of Manly Cove reported to Royal Society of Victoria
(10).
3. Article on rock pictures contributed to Anthropological Institute of
Great Britain (10).
4. Article on carvings - Anthropological Institute of Great Britain (11).
CROSS REFERENCES
Makes minor correction to ‘Rock Paintings and Carvings of the Aborigines of
New South Wales’ (1895).
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 172
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1899
Title: Aboriginal Customs in North Queensland
Journal: Science of Man
Volume: 1 (new series)
Issue: 12
Pages: 262-64
Date: 21 January 1899
Keywords: Ceremonies - initiation
Kinship and marriage
Rock art
Sand and ground designs
Tree carvings
Abstract: This article appeared in Science of Man, a magazine
published by the Anthropological Association of Australasia. Mathews seems
to have regarded this publication less seriously than the scientific
journals in which he mostly published. In the bulk of his Science of Man
contributions he reworked material published elsewhere. This is true of this
publication, as Mathews acknowledges when he states that '[t]he foregoing
article was read at a meeting of the Royal Society of Queensland…and is now
revised and republished.' The article is brief and fairly general. The
material is organised under the following headings: 'Class Systems';
'Initiation Ceremonies'; 'Rock Pictures'; 'Ground Drawings'; and 'Marked
Trees'. (Refer to abstract of 'Aboriginal Customs in North Queensland'
[1897] for a more detailed account.) The article is accompanied by a
photograph of Aboriginal hand stencils on the Dawson River which did not
appear in the earlier publication. Mathews obtained the photo from B. W.
Palms, the owner of 'Cracow' Station on Cracow Creek, a tributary to the
Dawson.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Kamilaroi
2. Wiradjuri
3. Mycoolon
4. Myappe
5. Kalkadoon
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Gulf of Carpentaria
2. Leichardt River
3. Cloncurry River
4. Flinders River
5. Norman River
6. Gilbert River
7. Mitchell River
8. Kennedy River
9. Cape York Peninsula
10. Princess Charlottes Bay
11. Main Dividing Range
12. Dawson River
13. Batavia River
14. Staater River
15. Cracow Station
16. Cracow Creek
17. Dawson River
INFORMANTS
1. 'an old blackfellow on the Dawson river who had seen the paintings done
when he was a youth' (263).
2. 'My friend, Mr. B. W. Palms, owner of Cracow Station, on Cracow Creek'
(264).
CORRESPONDENTS
1. 'My friend, Mr. B. W. Palms, owner of Cracow Station, on Cracow Creek'
(264).
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Photograph - Aboriginal rock drawings, Dawson River
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Work on Kamilaroi organisation (262).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'Aborignal Customs in North Queensland' (1897)
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Reference Type: Journal Article**
Record Number: 68
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1900-01
Title: Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of the Northern
Territory
Journal: Queensland Geographical Journal
Volume: 16
Pages: 69-90
Keywords: Cannibalism
Ceremonies - initiation
Circumcision
Kinship and marriage
Language elicitation
Rock art
Subincision
Technology - implements/tools
Abstract: Like many of the Mathews articles titled 'Ethnological
Notes…', this is a mixed bag of ethnographic data. Referring to a succession
of six tables, Mathews firstly describes kinship and marriage organisation
in various parts of the Northern Territory. He then describes initiatory
customs including circumcision, subincision […]. There are also descriptions
of hunting, fishing, food gathering and notes concerning aspects of material
culture including waterbags, containers, rock paintings, rock carvings and
burial customs. In addition, Mathews remarks on shamanism and cannibalism.
The data were not collected personally, but supplied to him by 'friends who
have resided in that part of the country'. He also cites the work of various
other writers including W. E. Roth and Spencer and Gillen. The article
includes a 210 word vocabulary of the language of the Chingalee tribe. There
is also an appendix titled 'Aboriginal Rock Carvings' which describes rock
art around the Burnett River, Queensland, one of which was cut from the rock
by a resident and sent to Mathews. In 'Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal
Tribes of Western Australia' (1903-04) Mathews made a minor correction to
page 70 of this article. In 'Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of
Queensland' (1905) Mathews made alterations to Table 1 of this article. In
'Sociology of some Australian Tribes' (1905) Mathews modified his view that
the Australian moieties are exogamous. He requested that '[i]n any of my
previous articles…in which it may be stated that an aboriginal community
comprises "two exogamous divisions," the reader is requested to substitute
"two principal divisions."' In 'Vocabulary of the Ngarrugu Tribe N. S. W.'
(1908) Mathews acknowledges there were 'some clerical errors' in the table
given on page 73 of his article 'Australian Divisional Systems' (1898). The
correct table appears on page 74 of this paper.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Chingalee
2. Mayoo
3. Jeelowng
4. Neening
5. Jaroo
6. Munga
7. Moodburra
8. Kangarraga
9. Cheeal
10. Tewinbol
11. Bilyanarra
12. Wartaman
13. Oolawunga
14. Muttangulla
15. Kwaranjee
16. Koodanjee
17. Wanyee
18. Kurrawar
19. Yookala
20. Warramonga
21. Yorrawinga
22. Yoolanlanya
23. Yanindo
24. Arrinda
25. Andigarina
26. Loorudgie
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. MacDonnell Ranges
2. Alice Springs
3. Finke River
4. Davenport Range
5. Macumba River
6. Daly Waters
7. Powells Creek
8. Elsey Creek
9. Negri River
10. Behm River
11. Sturts Creek
12. Stirling Creek
13. Sturt Creek
14. Victoria River
15. Ord River
16. Fitzmaurice River
17. Flora River
18. Newcastle Waters
19. Upper Roper River
20. Katherine River
21. Goyder River
22. Gulf of Carpentaria
23. Rankine River
24. Georgina River
25. Elkedra
26. Alroy Downs
27. Tennants Creek
28. Upper Georgina River
29. Woodroffe River
30. Field River
31. Hay River
32. Port Darwin
33. Liverpool River
34. Lake Amadeus
35. Roper River
36. Gordon Creek
37. Jasper Creek
38. Valley of Springs Station
39. Limmen River
40. Mount Thomas
41. Mount John
42. Mount Charles
43. Mount David
44. Birdum Creek
45. Delamere
46. Gregory Creek
47. Wickham River
48. Auvergne on the Baines
49. Camfield Creek
50. Playford Creek
51. Cresswell Creek
52. Calvert River
53. McArthur River
54. Hodgson River
55. Strangways River
56. Burnett River
57. Parish of South Kolan
58. County of Cook
59. Pine Creek
INFORMANTS
1. 'friends who have resided in that part of the country' (69).
2. Mr. Michael Costello (82).
3. 'a friend' (90).
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. States that he is 'now engaged in obtaining particulars of the tongues
spoken in different parts of the Northern Territory, which I hope to submit
to this Society on an early date' (69).
2. Refers to having described 'the social organisation of all the different
communities' of South Australia (75).
3. States that he contributed in 1894 an article to this journal on
'Aboriginal Rock Pictures of Australia' (90).
CROSS-REFERENCES
In ‘Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of Western Australia’
(1903-04) Mathews makes the following correction to the fouth line from the
bottom of page 70: 'after the word "Nambitijana," add "or Chapota and Nemira,
or Changary and Nhermana." These words were inadvertently omitted.'
In ‘Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of Queensland’ (1905)
Mathews made alterations to Table 1 of this article.
In 'Vocabulary of the Ngarrugu Tribe N. S. W.' (1908) Mathews acknowledges
there were 'some clerical errors' in the table given on page 73 of the
article 'Australian Divisional Systems' (1898). The correct table appears on
page 74 of this paper.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'Some Rock Pictures and Ceremonial Stones of the Australian Aborigines'
(1910) repeated description of Burnett River carvings and their partial
removal.
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 21
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1901
Title: Aboriginal Rock Pictures in Queensland
Journal: Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society
Volume: 40
Issue: 165
Pages: 57-58
Keywords: Rock art
Abstract: This extremely short article on rock art describes some
Aboriginal carvings cut into sandstone near the Burnett River, Queensland.
Weapons, animals, human feet and other motifs can be identified. Mathews
explains how the rock art was executed and compares it to some other sites
in Queensland.
Notes: TRIBES
Not applicable.
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Burnett River, Parish of South Kolan, County of Cook
2. Pine Creek
3. Bundaberg
4. Rawbelle, a stock station on the Rawbelle River
5. County of Wicklow.
6. Augustus Down's cattle station, on the bank of the Leichardt River
INFORMANTS
1. 'Old residents of the district [who] have known of these rock carvings
for twenty-five or thirty years' (58).
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
Not applicable.
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Reference Type: Journal Article**
Record Number: 85
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1901
Title: Initiation Ceremonies of the Wiradjuri Tribes
Journal: American Anthropologist
Volume: 3 (new series)
Pages: 337-41
Keywords: Ceremonies - initiation
Sand and ground designs
Abstract: Mathews had previously described Wiradjuri male initiation
ceremonies in various publications including 'The Burbung of the Wiradthuri
Tribes' (1896) and 'The Burbung of the Wiradthuri Tribes (Part II)' (1897).
In some respects this is a footnote to these earlier articles. It concerns a
ceremony that occurred in 1898 in the western part of Wiradjuri territory-a
location on the 'Canoble' pastoral property some 33 miles east of Ivanhoe in
New South Wales. Mathews says that the manner of summoning the tribes and
the actual ceremonies were similar to those described in his previous
accounts of the Burbung. The bulk of this fairly brief article describes
[items] associated with the ceremony. […]. Mathews appears to have visited
the site personally.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Wiradjuri
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Gunnabonna, County of Mossgiel, NSW
2. Blakes waterhole on Canoble run, 8 miles east by north from Canoble
headstation, 33 miles from Ivanhoe.
3. Hillston
4. Keewong
5. Cobar
6. Paddington
INFORMANTS
Not applicable.
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Line drawing of ground carvings at a burbung ceremony (338).
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Mentions having contributed two articles in 1896 on 'Australian class
systems, describing the social organization of the native tribes composing
the Wiradjuri community' in NSW (337).
2. Also refers to having dealt with 'the inaugural ceremonies of certain
tribes in the northern and southern parts of the Wirradjui territory' (337),
but having 'never before had the opportunity of describing the ceremony as
performed in the western portion' (337).
3. Refers to former articles on 'the Burbung of the tribes of the Lachlan
and Murrumbidgee rivers' (337).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
Australian Ground and Tree Drawings (1896)
Additional Remarks Concerning Aboriginal Bora Held at Gundabloui in 1894
Aboriginal Bora held at Gundabloui in 1894 (1894)
The Bora, or Initiation Ceremonies of the Kamilaroi Tribe (1895)
The Bora, or, Initiation Ceremonies of the Kamilaroi Tribe: Part 2 (1896)
The Burbung of the Wiradthuri Tribes (1896)
The Burbung of the Wiradthuri Tribes (Part II) (1897)
The Burbung, or Initiation Ceremonies of the Murrumbidgee Tribes (1897)
The Victorian Aborigines : Their Initiation Ceremonies and Divisional
Systems (1898)
Initiation Ceremonies of the Wiradjuri Tribes (1901)
The Burbung of the Wiradthuri Tribes (1900)
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 127
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1901
Title: Pictorial Art Among the Australian Aborigines
Journal: Journal of the Transactions of the Victoria Institute
Volume: 33
Pages: 291-310
Keywords: Rock art
Sand and ground designs
Technology - implements/tools
Tree carvings
Abstract: This article was Mathews' sole contribution to the
London-based Transactions of the Victoria Institute. Rev. Dr Walker read it
at a meeting of the Institute on 4 December 1899. The format is similar to
that many of the articles on Aboriginal art that Mathews had published
during the 1890s. Concerned predominantly with art sites in New South Wales,
each example is numbered, described and illustrated. There is little attempt
to interpret the art or analyse the motivations of the artists. Information
is presented under the following headings: 'Rock Paintings'; 'Rock
Carvings'; 'Marked Trees'; 'Drawings on the Ground'; 'Images' (designs on
wood, bark, clay and other material); and 'Carvings on Wooden Implements'.
The article concludes with a five-page transcription of the discussion that
followed the presentation at the Victoria Institute.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Kamilaroi
2. Wiradjuri
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. The Wallaby Rock
2. Parish of Bulga
3. County of Hunter
4. Macdonald River
5. Rylstone
6. Parish of Growee
7. County of Phillip
8. Bylong
9. Gulf Creek
10. Parish of Price
11. Cooyal Creek
12. Old Bulga Road
13. Milbrodale
14. County of Northumberland
15. Bulgar Creek
16. Darkey Creek
17. Redbank Creek QLD
18. Weir River QLD
19. Parish of Tallwood QLD
20. County of Carnarvon QLD
21. Lachlan River
22. Murrumbidgee River
23. Moonie River
24. Nindigully QLD
25. Barwon River
26. Condamine River
27. Port Darwin
28. Moorundie
29. Lower Murray River
30. Upper Finke River
31. McDonnell Ranges
INFORMANTS
1. 'Blackfellows belonging to the south-east coast of New South Wales,
between Sydney and Cape Howe' (301).
2. Mr. John K. McKay, of Dungog (301).
CORRESPONDENTS
1. Mr. John K. McKay, of Dungog (301)?
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Drawing - Cave 3 rock paintings (294)
2. Drawings - Drawings by Natives on the Ground (unnumbered).
3. Drawings - Additional Drawings by Natives (unnumbered).
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Paper on pictorial art, 1898, Australian Association for the Advancement
of Science, New South Wales (292).
2. Various articles on rock paintings 'contributed to different ethnological
and philosophical societies' (292).
3. Articles on rock carvings 'written by me during the past four or five
years, which are illustrated by numerous
plates' (see 'other notes') (296).
4. 1896 paper to Royal Society of Victoria on initiation ceremonies (10).
5. Article on Bora ceremonies of Kamilaroi at Gundabloui (301).
6. Article on bullroarers (305).
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Reference Type: Journal Article**
Record Number: 69
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1903-04
Title: Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of Western
Australia
Journal: Queensland Geographical Journal
Volume: 19
Pages: 45-72
Keywords: Ceremonies - initiation
Kinship and marriage
Language elicitation
Rock art
Abstract: This substantial article on Western Australia includes
sections on 'Origin of the Australian Aborigines'; 'Rock Pictures' (rock
paintings, rock carvings); '[Social] Organisation'; 'Superstitions'; and
'Language'. There are short descriptions of initiation ceremonies and the
extraction of teeth. The rock art material includes a description of line
drawings of rock engravings and a photograph of a painted spirit figure from
the Kimberley. The article is not based on personal investigation. Instead,
Mathews made extensive use of European correspondents. He wrote to station
owners, police officers and other settlers, seeking help in his research.
Their assistance is acknowledged. In the section of the paper on social
organisation Mathews surmises that in the past smaller tribes amalgamated
into larger confederacies. He outlines the various types of kinship and
marriage system operative in Western Australia. The section of the article
on language gives vocabularies of the Roebourne and Lower Fitzroy districts.
Each vocabulary is arranged under headings that include: 'Family Terms,
Etc.'; 'Parts of the Body'; 'Natural Objects'; 'Animals'; 'Weapons';
'Adjectives'. The article concludes with a minor correction of Mathews'
article 'Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of the Northern
Territory' (1901). In 'Sociology of some Australian Tribes' (1905) Mathews
modified his view that the Australian moieties are exogamous. He requested
that '[i]n any of my previous articles…in which it may be stated that an
aboriginal community comprises "two exogamous divisions," the reader is
requested to substitute "two principal divisions."'
Notes: TRIBES
1. Wommalunna (language)
2. Andikarina
3. Arrinda
4. Chingalee
5. Inchalee
6. Warkya (or Waggaia)
7. Parnkalla
8. Yowerawarraka
9. Barkunjee
10. Kishu (language)
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Cumberland County
2. Hunter County
3. Upper Murchison River
4. Gascoyne River
5. Ashburton River
6. Fortescue River
7. Yule River
8. Mount Stewart Station
9. Hillside Station
10. Shaw River
11. De Grey River
12. Lyndon River
13. Murchison River
14. Depuch Island
15. Balla Balla
16. Ord River
17. Halls Creek
18. Margaret River
19. Sturt Creek
20. Fitzroy River
21. Fraser River
22. Lenard River
23. Glenelg River
24. Bachsten Creek
25. Calder River
26. Collier Bay
27. Dongarra
28. Onslow
29. Perth
30. Albany
31. Eucla
32. Norseman
33. Lake Barlee
34. Deeside Station
35. Georgina River
36. Lake Macdonald
37. Greenough River
38. Sanford River
39. Roderick River
40. Wooramel River
41. Lyons River
42. Weld Spring
43. Bonython Creek
44. Lake Throssall
45. Elder Creek
46. Glen Cumming
47. Oakover River
48. Throssell River
49. Roeburne district
50. Maitland River
51. Lower Fitzroy River
52. Ord River
53. Denham River
54. Wave Hill Station on Victoria River
55. Daly Waters
56. Elsey Creek
57. McArthur River
58. Calvert River
59. Rockland Station
60. Charlotte Waters
61. Alice Springs
62. Cape Arid
63. Fremantle
64. Shark Bay
65. Roebourne
66. Condon
67. Carnarvon
68. Geraldton
69. Derby
70. Wyndham
71. Beagle Bay
72. Weld Springs
73. Parker Ranges
74. Minilya River
75. Station at Lyndon River
76. Cossack
77. Yeeda Station, near Derby
78. Darling River
INFORMANTS
1. Station owners/managers (45).
2. Police Force (45).
3. Others, by recommendation of current informants (45).
4. Mr. H. A. Hall (48) - initials given as Mr. W. A. Hall on p. 64.
5. Mr. William Byron (near Balla Balla?) who sent Mathews 'about forty
copies of rock carvings on Depuch Island, of which there are hundreds' (48).
7. Mr. J. Wilson (49).
8. Mr. J. C. Rose (49).
9. Mr. J. Hancock (49) and others (49).
10. Mr. Thos. Muir, J. P. of Deeside Station, WA (51).
11. Mr. J. Cahill, manager of Wave Hill Station, on Victoria River (53).
12. Mr. W. Holze, of Daly Waters (53).
13. Mr. M. Costello (54).
14. Mr. A. H. Glissan of Rockland Station (54).
15. Mr. H. T. Knight, station manager, Lyndon River (63).
16. Mr. G. Buchanan, Flora Valley Station, near Hall's Creek in the
Kimberley district (63).
17. Baibung, 'a native of the Roebourne district' (66).
18. Mr. A. E. Clifton, manager of the Yeeda Station, near Derby (66).
19. Mr. W. J. Wilson, police officer at Hall's Creek, in the Kimberley
district (66).
CORRESPONDENTS
1. Mr H. A. Hall / W. A. Hall.
2. Mr. William Byron (near Balla Balla?).
3. Mr. J. Wilson.
4. Mr. J. C. Rose.
5. Mr. J. Hancock.
6. Mr. Thos. Muir, J. P.
7. Mr. J. Cahill.
8. Mr. W. Holze.
9. Mr. M. Costello.
10. Mr H. T. Knight.
11. Mr. A. E. Clifton.
12. Mr. W. J. Wilson.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Drawing - rock carvings.
2. Photograph - rock painting.
3. Mathews believes that it is important to reproduce one of Mr. R. S.
Brockman's photographs in this article 'because the Journal of this Society
will go into many channels which will not be reached by the report of Mr.
Brockman's discoveries' (50).
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Refers to work on probable origins of Aboriginal People and the
development of some of their customs in an article contributed to the
twelfth session of the International Congress of Prehistoric Anthropology
and Archaeology, held at Paris in 1900 (45).
2. Refers to own published work on rock carvings in New South Wales (46).
3. Refers to work reported to the Anthropological Society at Paris in 1898,
which describes paintings similar to those found by Mr. Brockman (50).
4. Refers to work on Nanarri system of New South Wales, described in 1900
(51).
5. Refers to work on details of the intermarriages of the Chingalee tribe,
contributed to the Anthropological Society at Washington (53).
7. Refers to work contributed to the Royal Society of New South Wales
(53-4).
8. Refers to work on the divisions of the Elsey Creek tribe contributed to
the Society of Anthropology at Paris (54).
9. Refers to work on Chingalee vocabulary and totems contributed to the
Royal Geographical Society at Brisbane in 1901. Mathews acknowledges the
help of Mr. Holze in supplying some of the basic data for this piece (54).
10. Refers to work on the eight sections of the McArthur and Calvert Rivers
tribes communicated in 1899 to American Philosophical Society at
Philadelphia. Mathews acknowledges the help of Mr. Costello in supplying
some of the basic data for this piece (54).
11. Refers to work on the eight sections of the Inchalachee and Warkya
tribes, 'which were tabulated under my direction by Mr. A. H. Glissan,
Rockland Station, and reported by me in 1899) (54).
12. Refers to work detailing descent of Northern Territory Tribes,
contributed in 1901 to the Geographical Society of Queensland (61).
13. Refers to 'tolerably full descriptions' (61) given elsewhere of
initiation ceremonies (61).
14. Refers to his article, 'Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of
the Northern Territory' (63).
15. Refers to his treatise on 'The Origin, Organisation, and Ceremonies of
the Australian Aborigines', which is accompanied by a map ... (63).
CROSS-REFERENCES
‘Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of the Northern Territory’
(1901).
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 35
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1907
Title: Beitrage zur Ethnographie der Australier
Journal: Mitteilungen der Anthropologischen Gesellschaft
Volume: 27
Pages: 18-38
Keywords: Art – Body painting
Body mutilation
Body scars
Ceremonies - Trade & exchange
Cooking & eating
Costume - Armbands, bracelets etc.
Costume – Belts
Costume - Cloaks & coats
Costume - Headbands
Costume - Necklaces, pendants etc.
Costume - Nose pegs & piercing
Costume & clothing
Dance – Ceremonial
Finger amputation
Fishing - Fish hooks
Hearths, ovens, fireplaces etc.
Housing (Bark, grass shelters, etc.)
Intergroup relations & protocol
Recreation - games
Sorcery – divination
Technology – Bags
Technology - Stone implements / tools - Axes, hatchets etc.
Technology - Stone implements / tools - Blades & points
Technology - Stone implements / tools – Grindstones
Technology - Stone implements / tools – Knives
Technology - Wooden implements / tools - Digging sticks
Technology - Wooden implements / tools - Fire sticks
Tooth avulsion
Water transport – canoes
Water transport – rafts
Weapons – Boomerangs
Weapons – Clubs
Weapons – Shields
Weapons – Spears
Weapons – Spearthrower
Weapons – Spearthrower making
Abstract: 'Contributions to the Ethnography of the Australians' (transl.)
is one of nine articles Mathews published in German. It appeared in
Mitteilungen der Anthropologischen Gesellschaft, a leading anthropological
journal published in Vienna. While Mathews seems to have had a basic
knowledge of French and German, there is no evidence that he could write
professionally in either language. Although no translator is credited in any
of the German articles, the existence of translator's comments in the
published footnotes establish conclusively that someone other than the
author translated the text from English into German. In 2004 the published
article was translated back into English by Christine Winter for inclusion
in the Mirranen Archive. 'Beitrage zur Ethnographie der Australier' is an
unusual and important article. Running to more than 11,000 words, it is his
longest foreign-language publication. The general theme is material culture,
but it is very different to the bulk of Mathews' writings on this subject,
which typically consist of taxonomic descriptions of particular categories
of artefact (weapons, bullroarers, message sticks, etc). This article is
very much concerned with material culture in its social context. Mathews
gives fascinating information on subjects ranging from manufacture of tools
to games and other recreational pastimes in Aboriginal camps. He states on
the opening page that all information 'is the result of my own observations
and visits to natives of various districts'. This said, some observations
are drawn from the work of other authors including contributors to E. M.
Curr's The Australian Race (1886). The article is organised under various
sub-headings. 'Piercing of the nasal septum' describes the method of nasal
piercing and the types of ornamentation worn. 'Extraction of teeth'
describes the areas in which this custom is observed. 'Amputation of
phalanges' describes the amputation of fingers. Mathew describes the areas
in which this tradition is practised and the method by which it is done.
Typically a string made from thick spider's web is wound around the end of
the digit, blocking circulation. 'Mirimbirbirri or scar drawing' describes
methods of scarification. 'Dried hands as amulets' describes how dehydrated
human hands are worn in parts of New South Wales and Victoria. Mathews
describes beliefs associated with the wearing of hands. 'Canoes' discusses
the manufacture of bark canoes in various parts of Australia. 'Rafts'
discusses the manufacture of rafts in various parts of Australia. 'Camps and
dwellings' describes various forms of shelter. 'Body painting' describes
materials used for bodily decoration on ceremonial occasions. 'Corroborees'
describes the dance and song traditions of these inter-tribal gatherings.
'Games and entertainment' describes various types of ball and throwing
games. 'Weapons describes the manufacture and use of spears, wommeras,
shields, clubs, axes and various types of boomerangs. Utensils describes the
manufacture and use of yam sticks, stone knives, chisels, containers, 'prickers'
(used for pricking or drilling), bags, calabashes and fishing hooks.
'Fire-making' describes methods of ignition. 'Cooking' describes forms of
camp oven and miscellaneous culinary methods. 'Clothing and adornments'
deals with fur cloaks, blankets, necklaces, headbands, armbands and belts or
girdles. 'Trading' describes the exchange of artifacts or raw materials at
intercommunal gatherings. Mathews promises at the beginning of the paper
that the 'geographic spread of the individual custom is in every case
fixed', but does not always explain the exact geographical locations of many
of these customs. Even so, the close observations of camp life in Aboriginal
communities make this article especially valuable. Although the bulk of this
article had not been previously published, a few paragraphs were replicated
from 'Stone Cooking-Holes and Grooves for Stone-Grinding used by the
Australian Aborigines' (1896).
Notes: TRIBES
1. Wirraidyuir (Wiradjuri).
2. Thurrawal.
3. Darkinung.
4. Inhabitants of the Mitchell, Palmer and Walsh rivers of the Cape York
Peninsula.
5. 'Wide Bay blacks'.
6. Coastal tribes of New South Wales and Queensland.
7. The 'natives in the vicinity of Sydney'.
8. Wongaibon
9. Murawarri.
10. Ugumba (Ngeumba) tribe.
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Southeast Coast of New South Wales.
2. The whole of New South Wales and Victoria, also in Queensland, South
Australia and in the Northern Territory.
3. Western Australia.
4. Central and western regions of Australia.
5. Central and northern parts of Victoria.
6. Coastal New South Wales and the interior.
7. Mary, Dawson and other rivers in southern Queensland.
8. Parts of New South Wales, Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western
Australia.
9. Area from Port Hacking down to the Shoalhaven River.
10. Juross (Tuross) River to the Manning River.
11. Brisbane to Gympie in Queensland.
12. Albert and Tweed rivers.
13. Halifax Bay.
14. Fraser Island.
15. Daly River, Northern Territory.
16. Beagle Bay in Western Australia.
17. Gippsland, Victoria.
18. Pyalong, Victoria.
19. Mildura, Victoria.
20. Maitland.
21. Williams River, New South Wales.
22. Dungog.
23. Shoalhaven River.
24. Lachlan River, New South Wales.
25. Cape York Peninsula
26. Port Darwin and other northern parts of Australia.
27. Malayan archipelago and New Guinea.
28. Hawkesbury, Shoalhaven and some other big rivers, the shores of which
consisted of Hawkesbury sandstone.
29. Mitchell, Palmer and Walsh rivers of the Cape York Peninsula.
30. Wide Bay.
31. Area between Mitchell River and Cape York.
32. Sturt Creek and Victoria River in the Northern Territory.
33. From the Western Australian border, through the Northern Territory and
into Queensland.
34. Victoria River and in the Northern Territory.
35. Coastal districts of New South Wales, from Sydney southwards.
36. Vicinity of Sydney.
37. Moulamein, Swan Hill, Balranald and other nearby places.
38. Culgoa River.
39. Darling River in the region of Brewarrina.
40. Bogan River.
41. Nyngan.
42. Willandra Billabong.
43. Lachlan River.
44. Murrumbidgu (Murrumbidgee) River.
INFORMANTS
Nil.
CORRESPONDENTS
1. Communication with the late Edward Palmer (21).
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Earlier contributions published by the Anthropological Society of Vienna.
2. Has discussed 'mutilations connected with circumcision and the splitting
of the urethra for men' in earlier publications (18).
3. 'Die Multyerra-Initiationszeremonie', Mitteilungen der Anthropologischen
Gesellschaft, vol. 34, 1904.
4. 'Some Initiation Ceremonies of the Aborigines of Victoria', Zeitschrift
für Ethnologie, vol. 37, 1905.
5. 'The Bunan Ceremony of New South Wales', American Anthropologist, vol. 9,
1896.
6. 'The Toara Ceremony of the Dippil Tribes of Queensland', American
Anthropologist, vol. 2 (new series), 1900.
7. Talk to the Royal Society of New South Wales on 5 October 1904, published
as 'Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of New South Wales and
Victoria', Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South Wales,
vol. 38, 1904.
8. Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of New South Wales and
Victoria, Sydney, 1905.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
P. 257 of ‘Stone Cooking-Holes and Grooves for Stone-Grinding used by the
Australian Aborigines’ (1896) was the original for the description of
cooking using rocks.
Author Address:
Bibliographical details checked - MT
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Reference Type: Book**
Record Number: 117
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1907
Title: Notes on the Aborigines of New South Wales
City: Sydney
Publisher: Government Printer of New South Wales
Number of Pages: 40
Keywords: Avenging
Ceremonies - initiation
Ceremonial objects - Bullroarers
Fishing - fish weirs
Music - vocal
Rock art
Sand and ground designs
Stories & motifs
Technology - implements/tools
Tree carvings
Weapons
Abstract: This is a forty-page booklet aimed at a general audience.
It was published by the New South Wales Government Printer and in the main
it replicates material covered in earlier publications. The text is
organised under eleven headings. 'Sociology of the Ngeumba Tribe' describes
the kinship and marriage customs of the Ngeumba people who live in the
vicinity of Brewarrina in northwest New South Wales. Mathews describes how
the communities is organised into moieties and sections. He also describes
the 'blood' and 'shade' divisions which also influence betrothals. He had
previously written about this in Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes
of New South Wales and Victoria (1905) and other publications. The section
headed 'The Bora of the Kamilaroi Tribes' replicates the account of the male
initiation ceremony at 'Tallwood' in 1895. Mathews had visited the site of
this ceremony and written about it in 'The Bora of the Kamilaroi Tribes'
(1896). Much of the text here replicates the earlier article, however the
two illustrations are new. They consist of a map of the bora encampment and
a plate showing 54 tree carvings and ground designs […]. The carvings and
designs are described in explanatory notes. The section titled 'Aboriginal
Weapons, & c.' describes 35 artifacts used by the Kutthung of Port Stephens
and adjacent tribes. The spears, shields, boomerangs, etc. are illustrated
in two photographic plates which were supplied by Mathews' friend W. J.
Enright who had previously reproduced them in articles published by the
Royal Society of New South Wales. Sections titled 'Aboriginal Rock
Paintings' and 'Aboriginal Rock Carvings' contain illustrations and
descriptions of rock art sites from the Sydney region. Most, if not all, had
previously been described in Mathews' earlier rock art publications. A
section titled 'The Yaroma: a Legend' recounts a story concerning a large
creature capable of eating whole men. This is followed by a section headed 'Pirrimbir,
or Avenging Expedition'. Mathews has previously written on these subjects in
Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of New South Wales and Victoria
(1905). In 'Australian Folk-tales' (1909) he revealed that the Yaroma story
was told by the Jirringan (Dyirringan) tribe. The section titled 'Bull-roarers
used by the Aborigines' describes the sacred instruments used at
initiations. The text as well as the illustrative plate is duplicated from
Mathews' article 'Bullroarers used by the Australian Aborigines' (1897). The
section titled 'Aboriginal Songs at Initiation Ceremonies' gives the lyrics
and musical notation of 'certain sacred songs' from the South Coast of New
South Wales. Mathews had previously published this material in 'The Thoorga
Language' (1901-02). The section titled 'Some Curious Beliefs' recounts
various beliefs concerning animals and the afterlife. Mathews also describes
a practice in which the shriveled hand of a deceased person is carried as a
charm against evil. The final section of the booklet is titled 'The
Aboriginal Fisheries at Brewarrina'. This description of the Aboriginal
weirs on the Barwon River includes a map and a photograph of the site. All
were previously published in 'The Aboriginal Fisheries at Brewarrina'
(1903).
Notes: TRIBES
1. Nguemba
2. Wongaibon
3. Kurnu
4. Kamilaroi
5. Pikumbil
6. Yualeai
7. Shoalhaven tribes
8. Wiradjuri
9. Kutthung
10. Thoorga
11. Wiradthuri
12. Parnkalla
13. Dyirringan
14. Nimbaldi
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Brewarrina
2. Darling River
3. Bogan River
4. Nyngan
5. Cobar
6. Byrock
7. Mulga Creek
8. Tallwood QLD
9. Count of Carnarvon QLD
10. Redbank Creek QLD
11. Weir River QLD
12. Goondiwindi QLD
13. Welltown QLD
14. Kunopia QLD
15. Meroc QLD
16. St. George QLD
17. Moogan Mungindi QLD
18. Gundabloui QLD
19. Shoalhaven River
20. Manning River
21. Gulf of Carpentaria
22. Chasm Island
23. Port Jackson
24. Parish of Wareng
25. County of Hunter
26. Parish of Macdonald
27. Tollagong
28. Macdonald River
29. Botany Bay
30. Wisemans Ferry
31. Parramatta'
32. Parish of Frederick
33. Mangrove Creek
34. Hawkesbury River
35. Bantry Bay
36. Manly Cove
37. Peats Ferry Road
38. Narooma
39. County of Dampier
40. Adelaide SA
41. Port Lincoln SA
42. Macquarie River
43. Bogan River
44. Culgoa River
45. Clarence River
46. Richmond River
47. Bulli
INFORMANTS
1. 'my young friend Mr. W. J. Enright' (see 'other notes') (19).
2. 'two old aboriginals' (27).
3. Mr. W. W. Froggart (?), who 'courteously lent' Mathews a bullroarer (31).
CORRESPONDENTS
1. Mr. W. J. Enright
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Drawing - Plan of Bora Camp (6).
2. Drawing - Tree Carvings and Ground Drawings at Bora Camp (9).
3. Plate (photograph?) - Aboriginal Weapons (20). Plate supplied by Mr. W.
J. Enright (20).
4. Plate (photograph?) - Aboriginal Weapons (22). Plate supplied by Mr. W.
J. Enright (22).
5. Drawing - Aboriginal Rock Carvings (25).
6. Drawing - Plan of the Ngunnhu or Native Fish Traps in the Darling River
at Brewarrina (39).
7. Photograph - Photographic View of the Ngunnhu or Native Fish Traps in the
Darling River at Brewarrina (40).
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Mathews refers collectively to his articles published by Royal Society of
New South Wales, Geographical Society of Queensland, Royal Society of
Victoria, Anthropological Institute of Great Britain, and Victoria
Institute, London (3).
2. 'Ethnological Notes of the Aboriginal Tribes of New South Wales and
Victoria' (3).
3. 'Sociology of some Australian Tribes' and 'Ethnological Notes of the
Aboriginal Tribes of Queensland' (5).
4. Descriptions of Kamilaroi Bora published by Royal Society of New South
Wales, Anthropological Institute of Great Britain, Royal Society of Victoria
(18).
5. Articles on Bunan and Keeparra ceremonies (18).
6. Burbung of Wiradjuri (18).
7. Several articles in different journals dealing with initiation ceremonies
of 'all the native tribes of New South Wales' (18).
8. Avenging parties (29).
9. Paper on Bunan (32).
10. Article to Anthropological Society of Washington 1896 - Bunan ceremony
and songs (33).
11. Article to Royal Society of New South Wales on preparatory initiation
rite and songs (33).
12. Work on songs (33).
CROSS-REFERENCE
'Australian Folk-tales' (1909) indicates that the Yarroma story was told by
the Jirringan (Dyirringan) tribe.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'Ethnological Notes of the Aboriginal Tribes of New South Wales and
Victoria' (1904 & 1905)
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Record Number: 82
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1909-10
Title: Initiation Ceremonies of some Queensland Tribes
Journal: Queensland Geographical Journal
Volume: 25
Pages: 103-18
Keywords: Ceremonial objects - Bullroarers
Ceremonies - initiation
Sand and ground designs
Kinship and marriage
Abstract: This article describes two ceremonies associated with male
initiation. One is known as the Toara. The other is the Bundandaba, the
final rite in becoming a man. The ceremonies were practised by tribes in
southern Queensland 'situated along the coast from the boundary of New South
Wales northerly, to the vicinity of Port Curtis, extending inland to
comprise a zone from 150 to 200 miles wide'. This is the area drained by the
Burnett, Mary, Brisbane, and other rivers, as well as the valley of the
Dawson and upper Condamine River. The ceremonies had apparently fallen into
disuse by the time Mathews gathered descriptions of them from 'old natives'
who recalled the details. The ceremonies do not appear to have involved any
bodily modification. Proceedings occurred in […] the forest […]. The article
mentions some other customs of the region and briefly describes the kinship
system. Mathews also discussed these ceremonies in the following papers:
'The Toara Ceremony of the Dippil Tribes of Queensland' (1900) and 'Die
Bundandaba-Zeremonie in Queensland' (1910).
Notes: LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Port Curtis
2. Burnett River
3. Mary Rivver
4. Brisbane River
5. Dawson River valley
6. Condamine River
INFORMANTS
1. 'old natives' (103).
2. 'native informants' (103).
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. States that '[n]othing was known of the toara ceremony until 1900, when I
published a short account ... ' (118).
2. Mathews refers to brief report he furnished to the Anthropological
Society of Vienna in 1909 as being the 'first and only notice of the
bundandaba ceremony' (118).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
‘The Toara Ceremony of the Dippil Tribes of Queensland’ (1900).
‘Die Bundandaba-Zeremonie in Queensland’ (1910).
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 128
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1910
Title: Relevé de quelques dessins gravés ou peints sur rochers par
les indigènes de la Nouvelle Galles du Sud (Australie)
Journal: Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d'Anthropologie de Paris
Volume: 11
Pages: 531-35
Date: 1910
Keywords: Rock art
Abstract: 'Plan of some Drawings painted or carved on Rock by the
Natives of New South Wales, Australia' (transl.) was one of Mathews' last
publications on rock art, a subject on which he had written extensively,
especially during his early years as an anthropologist. One of the nine
articles Mathews published in French, it appeared in Bulletins et Mémoires
de la Société d'Anthropologie de Paris, a leading anthropological journal.
Although Mathews seems to have had a basic knowledge of French and German,
there is no evidence that he could write professionally in either language.
Oscar Schmidt is credited here as the translator. In 2004 Schmidt's French
version was translated back into English by Mathilde de Hauteclocque for
inclusion in the Mirranen Archive. The article is effectively a sequel to
Mathews' 1898 publication 'Gravures et peintures sur rochers par les
Aborigenes d'Australie', also published by the Société d'Anthropologie de
Paris. The favourable reception of that article, and the opinion of society
member M. Capitan that Australian rock art could shed light on prehistoric
sites in France and Spain, was the inspiration for this article. Mathews
discusses how rock carvings and paintings are produced. He then gives
detailed description of nine examples of rock engravings in the Sydney
region, all of which he has personally visited and documented. Each example
is represented as a line drawing in an illustrative plate. The article
cites, and sometimes criticises, the work of other authors who have
commented on Aboriginal rock art.
Notes: Translated by Oscar Schmidt.
TRIBES
Not applicable.
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Different locations in the County of Cumberland, New South Wales.
2. Parish of Maroota, County of Cumberland.
3. Lovers Leap, a steep precipice on the banks of the Hawkesbury River.
4. Point Piper on the south side of Port Jackson, between Rose Bay and
Double Bay, in the Parish of Alexandria, County of Cumberland.
5. Flat rock, to the west of the road which goes from the train station of
Turramurra to Cowan Creek and roughly half a mile south from the surveyor’s
benchmark at Bobbin, in the Parish of Gordon, County of Cumberland.
6. A fairly large rock, at ground level on the side of the old road from
Peats ferry to Sydney, about half a mile north of the surveyor’s benchmark
at Vize, in the Parish of Cowan, County of Cumberland.
INFORMANTS
Nil.
CORRESPONDENTS
Nil.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Plate showing nine examples of Sydney rock art.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. ‘Gravures et peintures sur rochers par les Aborigenes d’Australie’ in
Bulletins et Mémoires de la Société d'Anthropologie de Paris, 1898.
2. ‘Aboriginal Rock Pictures in Queensland’, Proceedings of the American
Philosophical Society, vol. 40, 1901.
3. ‘Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of Western Australia’,
Queensland Geographical Journal, vol. 19, 1903-4.
4. ‘Aboriginal Rock Pictures’, Proceedings and Transactions of the
Queensland Branch of the Royal Geographical Society of Australasia, vol. 10,
1894-95.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
‘Gravures et peintures sur rochers par les Aborigenes d’Australie’ (1898).
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Reference Type: Journal Article
Record Number: 145
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1910
Title: Some Rock Engravings of the Aborigines of New South Wales
Journal: Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South
Wales
Volume: 44
Pages: 401-05
Keywords: Rock art
Abstract: This article marks a return to the theme of rock art, a
subject on which Mathews published extensively, especially during his early
anthropological years. Here he describes engravings on sandstone in the
valley of the Hawkesbury River 'which no one else has brought under notice'.
Mathews makes some general remarks on Sydney rock art. He criticises
interpreters who argue that some rock engravings are really the work of
Europeans. Mathews then gives detailed description of seven carvings, each
of which is depicted in an illustrative plate. Most depict animal motifs.
One of these, which Mathews believes is a representation of a turkey
bustard, is situated near the Wollondilly River. George Riley, a 70-year-old
Gundungurra man, told Mathews 'that he first saw this drawing when he was a
boy, and even then the grooving had the appearance of having been done a
long time'. It was unusual for Mathews to include testimony from Aboriginal
people in his publications on rock art.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Gundungurra
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Hawkesbury River
2. Point Piper
3. Rose Bay, Parish of Alexandria, County of Cumberland
4. County of Northumberland
5. County of Hunter
6. County of Cook (?)
7. County of Cumberland
8. County of Westmoreland
9. County of Camden
10. County of Vincent
11. Parish of Maroota, County of Cumberland
12. Middle Harbour
13. Parish of Manly Cove
14. La Pérouse's monument, Parish of Botany, County of Cumberland
15. Wollondilly river
16. Parish of the Peaks, County of Westmoreland
17. Lovers Leap, 'a precipitous cliff on the right bank of the Hawkesbury
River
18. Byrnes Creek, a tributary of the Wollondilly
INFORMANTS
1. 'An old blackfellow, about 70 years of age, named 'George Riley,' a
member of the Gundungurra tribe' (405).
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Drawing - rock carvings (404).
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. 'I have myself copied and illustrated upwards of two hundred and fifty
native drawings in different part of the area above indicated' (402-03).
2. Description of rock drawing, presented at the meeting of the Australasian
Association for the Advancement of Science, Brisbane 1895 (405).
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Reference Type: Book Section
Record Number: 146
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1910
Title: Some Rock Pictures and Ceremonial Stones of the Australian
Aborigines
Editor: Shirley, John
Book Title: Report of the Twelfth Meeting of the Australasian
Association for the Advancement of Science, held at Brisbane, 1909
City: Brisbane
Publisher: Published by the Association
Volume: 12
Pages: 493-98
Keywords: Ceremonies - increase
Ceremonial stones
Ceremonial stones - Cylcons
Rock art
Abstract: This short paper addresses two separate topics. The first
half describes rock carvings on the Burnett River in Queensland. Mathews
states that a correspondent removed a carving of a foot which he posted to
Mathews. (This site and the removal of the carving had previously been
discussed in the appendix to his 1901 publication 'Ethnological Notes on the
Aboriginal Tribes of the Northern Territory'.) The second half of the
article concerns ceremonial stones used […] in northwest New South Wales.
Some data were supplied by Harry Perry, an Aboriginal informant whom Mathews
had quoted in other articles. The paper describes an incident in which a
grazier found a ceremonial stone in the company of an Aboriginal stockman.
The latter warned that the stones were never to be seen by women. The
article is illustrated with photographs and line drawings.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Darling
2. Paroo
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Burnett River
2. South Kolan Parish
3. Cook County
4. Pine Creek
5. Bundaberg
6. Bourke
7. Menindie
8. Tibooburra
9. Mount Arrowsmith
10. Broken Hill
11. Narran River
12. Barwon River
13. Buckanbee Run
14. 'Kallara' Run [Louth]
15. Moira Plain Run
16. Wilcannia
17. Culpaulin
18. Tonga Lake
19. Paroo River
20. Pulgamurtee Run
21. Cobham Lake
INFORMANTS
1. Harry Perry - 'An old aboriginal named Harry Perry, whom I have often met
at different places on the Darling, of which river he was a native.' (497).
CORRESPONDENTS
1. Mr. W. H. Franklin of Bingera, 'who first brought these carvings under my
notice.' (494).
2. 'One of my kind friends who chiselled out a fragment of the rock
containing part of a carving.' (494).
3. 'A station manager on the Darling River.' (498)
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Line drawing by Mathews of the carving of a foot which his correspondent
had removed from sandstone near the Burnett River, Queensland and posted to
him.
2. Three photographs of the rock carvings on the Burnett River. Photographer
uncredited.
3. Plate containing line drawings of 'seven out of a considerable number of
specimens [of ceremonial stones] in my possession...' (495-96).
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
Not applicable.
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
'Some Rock Pictures and Ceremonial Stones of the Australian Aborigines'
(1910) (this article)
'Further Notes on Ceremonial Stones, Australia' (1909)
'Ceremonial Stones used by the Australian Aborigines' (1909)
'Some Articles used in Burial and other Rites by the Australian Aborigines'
(1910)
'Some Australian Magical Stones' (1909)
'Some Burial Customs of the Australian Aborigines' (1909)
'Ethnological Notes on the Aboriginal Tribes of the Northern Territory'
(1901) discusses Burnett River carvings and their partial removal.
Some Curious Stones Used by the Aborigines (1911)
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Reference Type: Book Section
Record Number: 115
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1912
Title: Notes on some published Statements with regard to the
Australian Aborigines
Book Title: Report of the Thirteenth Meeting of the Australasian
Association for the Advancement of Science, held at Sydney, 1911
City: Sydney
Publisher: Published by the Association
Volume: 13
Pages: 449-53
Keywords: Fishing - fish weirs
Hunting
Kinship and marriage
Rock art
Abstract: This article addresses inaccuracies that had appeared in
previous reports of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of
Science and in other sources. Mathews criticises T. Worsnop's accounts of
Aboriginal rock art, explaining how, in search of more reliable data, he
encouraged T. A. Bradshaw, a telegraph officer at Alice Springs, to gather
photographs and accurate descriptions. He also criticises accounts of the
Brewarrina fish traps by G. S. Lang and K. Langloh Parker and remarks about
Aboriginal hunting made by Sir George Grey. He also repeats his now
well-established critique of A. W. Howitt's claim that the marriage and
kinship rules of the Kaiabara community in Queensland descend patrilineally.
The article is illustrated by a photograph take by Bradshaw of rock
paintings on the Finke River, Northern Territory.
Notes: TRIBES
1. Euahlayi
2. Kaiabara
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Alice Springs
2. Oonaminna rock-hole
3. Sullivans Creek, NT
4. Finke River
5. Nardoo Creek
6. County of Denison, QLD
7. Brewarrina
8. Bucklands Tableland, QLD
INFORMANTS
1. Mr. T. A. Bradshaw, the officer in charge of the telegraph station at
Alice Springs (450).
2. 'a resident of the district [Central Queensland] indicated' (450).
3. 'old blackfellows … in the different States of the Commonwealth' (453).
CORRESPONDENTS
1. Mr. T. A. Bradshaw (450).
2. 'a resident of the district [Central Queensland] indicated' (450).
ILLUSTRATIONS
1. Photograph supplied by T. A. Bradshaw of Aboriginal paintings, Finke
River (454).
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
Not applicable.
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Reference Type: Journal Article**
Record Number: 53
Author: Mathews, R. H.
Year: 1917
Title: Description of Two Bora Grounds of the Kamilaroi Tribe
Journal: Journal and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New South
Wales
Volume: 51
Pages: 423-30
Keywords: Baiame - stories and motifs
Ceremonies - initiation
Sand and ground designs
Tree carvings
Abstract: In this article, published the year in which he died,
Mathews returns to the subject of male initiation ceremonies. He considers
the Kamilaroi bora as 'a great educational system for the initiation of the
youths to the privileges and obligations of manhood; and at the same time to
inculcate the civil and moral laws of the community'. Mathews describes two
New South Wales bora grounds that he has personally visited. Both were in
the territory of the Kamilaroi people. The first was at 'Terry-hie-hie', a
pastoral station which Mathews reached via Moree. It had previously been
referred to by John Fraser in the Journal and Proceedings of the Royal
Society of New South Wales in 1882. When Mathews visited in 1901, he
'secured the services of two old Kamilaroi blackfellows, who had been
present at the last bora held at this place, and who were able and willing
to tell me everything I wanted to know in regard to it'. They estimated that
the bora ground had not been used for about 15 or 20 years. Mathews
describes the layout of the ceremonial ground. […]. The second bora ground
described in the article was located near the 'Kunopia' Homestead near
Gnoura Gnoura Creek in the Parish of Bonanga, County of Benarba. Mathews had
gone there in 1892 to document an initiation that occurred the previous
year. Mathews had discussed this site in previous publications including
'Australian Ground and Tree Drawings' (1896). Mathews explains that he was
guided around the site by two Kamilaroi men, Billy Wightman (previously
spelled Whiteman) and Jimmy Gular. He gives detailed description of the
forest clearings where the ceremonies were performed […]. Mathews says that
inquiries at the Kunopia police station revealed that 250 people had
attended the ceremony. They came from Willarie, Moogan, 'Gundabloui'
(station), Mungindi and other localities. Mathews briefly mentions the
ceremony in 'The Bora, or Initiation Ceremonies of the Kamilaroi Tribe'
(1895).
Notes: TRIBES
1. Kamilaroi
LOCATIONS MENTIONED
1. Hunter River
2. Jerrys Plains
3. Walgett
4. Mungindi
5. Boggabilla
6. Barwon River
7. Namoi River
8. Gwydir River
9. Terry-hie-hie Station, Parish of Terry-hie-hie, County of Courallie, NSW
10. Moree
11. Kunopia Run
12. Gnoura Gnoura Creek
13. Kunopia Homestead, Parish of Bonanga, County of Benarba
14. Willarie
15. Moogan
16. 'Gundabloui'
17. Mungindi
INFORMANTS
1. 'two old Kamilaroi blackfellows, who had been present at the last bora
held at this place, and who were able and willing to tell me everything I
wanted to know in regard to it' (424).
2. 'My native guides' (425).
3. ''Billy Wightman' and 'Jimmy Gular,' two of the principal old Kamilaroi
blacks who had charge of the ceremonies in 1891, and they were very willing
to give me all the assistance they could' (427).
4. Police station at Kunopia (430).
CORRESPONDENTS
Not applicable.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Nil.
REFERENCE TO OWN WORK
1. Gundabloui Bora paper 1894 (423).
2. Kamilaroi Bora paper 1896 (423).
3. Grammar and vocabulary of Kamilaroi language 1903 (423).
4. Article published on ground and tree drawings in NSW 1896 (430).
RELATED PUBLICATIONS
‘Australian Ground and Tree Drawings’ (1896).
‘The Bora, or Initiation Ceremonies of the Kamilaroi Tribe’ (1895).
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