This series comprises hundred maps* and a small number of county maps used by Tindale to record data gathered on trips to southeastern South Australia. In general, Tindale used a method of area subdivision, whereby he recorded 'original data' on hundred maps, later compiling and transcribing data onto a corresponding county or other large area map.

Tindale recorded original data from informants, including Aboriginal place names, clan names, 'tribal' boundaries and the tracks of Dreaming Ancestors. He also recorded expedition routes and scientific data (e.g. archaeological, botanical, entomological and geological). Areas represented include the Lower Murray and Lakes regions, the Coorong, Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island. The whole of the Lower Murray region is generally considered today to be the country of the Ngarrindjeri people. See series AA 338/16 for additional maps relating to Tindale's research in South Australia's South East.

Tindale occasionally made copies of maps, to which he added corrections or conclusions in another ink colour. In some instances, a copy was made of this annotated copy and further notes added. As a result, ink colour may provide a clue to the date of annotation. Maps are arranged alphabetically by name of hundred and name of county. Hundred maps are numbered 1-106, with 'Forster' and 'Ridley' numbered 105-106. County maps are numbered 107-130. When date of printing differs on maps with the same title, the date has been included in the title line.

A number of maps in this series contain a note by Tindale referring to his transcription of 'tribal', clan or place name data onto 'place name cards'. See series AA 338/7 for index cards relating to Tindale's language research.

Where relevant, 'Tindale tribes' are listed and linked to the Catalogue published in Tindale's 1974 publication Aboriginal tribes of Australia, their terrain, environmental controls, distribution, limits, and proper names. Descriptions of maps can be accessed via the Catalogue.

* What is a hundred map? Land administrators in early South Australia divided the province into counties, then into smaller units called hundreds, each consisting of an area of roughly 100 square miles. The hundred maps were compiled by the Surveyor-General and printed by the Government Photolithographer. (Reference and further reading: State Records of South Australia, Ancestors in Archives, Adelaide, 2000, pp. 27-28, 36.)