Item AA 338/5/6 consists of three volumes of photographic images obtained by Norman Barnett Tindale on his field trip to MacDonald Downs, Central Australia from August to September 1930 (see journal AA 338/1/6). The MacDonald Downs expedition was organised by the Board for Anthropological Research (BAR, see AA 346), and this was the third expedition that Tindale attended. The expedition party included: Dr Thomas Draper Campbell (expedition organiser and physical anthropologist, see AA 52), John Burton Cleland (blood grouping and pathological observation, see AA 60), Professor Thomas Harvey Johnston (blood grouping and parasitology, see AA 161), Herbert Mathew Hale (photography and plaster cast work, see AA 124), Dr Robert Henry Pulleine (physiological observation, see AA 259), Norman Barnett Tindale (ethnology), Dr Henry Kenneth Fry (physiological intelligence tests, see AA 105), and John Hugo Gray (see AA 111) and Professor Herbert John Wilkinson (physical anthropologists, see AA 370).

The party members undertook extensive research among Iliaura people of the region. Tindale's photographs are focused on the group's lifestyle and customs, thus disclosing a variety of themes: food collection and preparation; children's games; tool making and some men's ceremonial activities (that are restricted). Apart from Tindale's photographic material, a number of relevant photographs are available in Gray's, Johnston's, Wilkinson's, Cleland's, Hale's and Fry's collection in the South Australian Museum Archives.

The expedition party had also recorded a motion picture including scenes of their journey to MacDonald Downs via Oodnadatta and Alice Springs and their camp and research activities among Iliaura people. There are copies (AA 346/9/4) available in the South Australian Museum Archives.

Please note Tindale's abbreviations: CA; CA.; C.A. (Central Australia); Mcd. D, Macd D, Macdonald D. (MacDonald Downs); Ra (Range); Macdonnell Ra (Macdonnell Range); N .(North); N.E. (North-East); NW, N.W. (North-West); NNW (North North-West); SE, S.E. (South-East); SSE (South South-East); Mt (Mount); Tr. (Tribe); Aug (August); Sept (September); m (miles); yrs (years).

The detailed list of the MacDonald Downs photographs is as follows:
(please note that Tindale misspelled 'Macdonald' throughout his captions)

Vol. 1, photographs 1 - 67

1. 'Expedition Camp at Leilatara Macdonald [Downs]'.
   One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

   
   
   

2. 'Grinding grass seed Ót:eta Tr Macdonald Downs N B Tindale Aug. 1930.'
   Four b/w photographic prints and one acetate negative, annotated by Tindale. Two prints contain cropped images.

   
   
   

3. 'Dish full of ant collected grass seeds. Macdonald Downs, Aug 1930 Iliaura Tr N B T'.
   Two b/w photographic prints, and one acetate negative, annotated by Tindale.

   
   
   

4. 'Grinding grass seed Ót:eta Iliaura Tr Macdonald Downs CA Aug. 1930 N B Tindale photo', and 'Used in Ecological biogeog of Aust. [Ecological biogeography of Australia] 1981'.
   Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.

   
   
   

5. 'Separating the stones and dross from seed after winnowing Ót:eta grass seed Macdonald Downs Aug 1930 N B Tindale Iliaura Tr.'.
   Two b/w photographic prints and one acetate negative, annotated by Tindale.

   
   
   

6. 'Winnowing grass seed Iliaura tribe Macdonald downs CA Aug. 1930 N. B. Tindale'.
   Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.

   
   
   

7. 'Macd D Tindale'.
   (Winnowing grass seeds). An image very similar to the images 5 and 6. One b/w acetate negative.

   
   
   

8. 'Cleaning grass seed Macdonald Downs Aug 1930 N B T'.
   One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

   
   
   

9. 'Milling grass seed Aug 1930 Macdonald Downs N. B. T. '
   One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

   
   
   

10. 'Grinding grass seed otteta [Ót:eta] Iliaura Tr. Macdonald Downs Aug 1930 N. B. T.'
    One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

11. No caption.
    One b/w acetate negative containing an image similar to the one on the photograph number 10.

    
    
    

12. 'Gathering ant collected grass seed Macdonald Downs CA Iliaura Tr. N B Tindale photo Aug 1930 Journal p.[not included] seefilm'.
    Two b/w photographic prints and one acetate negative, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

13. 'Suspending hot coals over surface of grass seed cake to harden surface before covering with ashes Iliaura Tr. Macdonald Downs CA Aug. 1930 N B Tindale photo'.
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

14. 'Brushing ashes from cooked grass seed cake. Iliaura Tribe MacDonald Downs Aug. 1930 N. B. T.'.
    Three b/w photographic prints annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

15. No caption.
    Portrait of an old woman. One b/w photographic print.

    
    
    

16. 'Macdonald Downs Aug 1930 searching for bees, during imbana [sp?]'.
    One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

17. 'Macdonald Downs Aug 1930 spinning leaf game'.
    A group of children playing a common game with gum leaves. One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

18. 'Ngar'engur'engura game, spinning leaves over hot air current Illiaura boys Macdonald Downs Aug. 1930 N. B. T.'.
    One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

19. 'Iliaura tribe children chewing meat Macdonald Downs CA. Aug 1930 N B Tindale'.
    One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

20. 'Lizards dug from hole with feet Iliaura tribe Aug 1930 Macdonald Downs CA N B Tindale'.
    Two children holding lizards for tails. Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

21. 'Iliaura children cooking meat Macdonald Downs Aug 1930 N. B. T.'.
    One b/w photographic print annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

22. 'Iliaura children feeding Macdonald D. 8. [19]30 NBT.'.
    One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

23. 'Boy digging out lizards hole with feet MacDonald Downs Iliaura Tr. Aug 1930 N B Tindale'.
    Three b/w photographic prints annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

24. 'Ngar'engur'engura game. Method of holding leaf'.
    Remaining part of the caption is illegible. One b/w photographic print containing an image of a boy holding a (gum) leaf for spinning leaf game (ngar'engur'engura). Annotation by NB Tindale.

    
    
    

25. 'Making fire'
    One b/w photographic print containing an image and extensive explanation about method of fire making. Annotation by N. B. Tindale.

    
    
    

26. No caption (tjebudja game).
    One b/w photographic print and one b/w contact print copied from acetate negative marked as Acc. No. 1003.

    
    
    

27. 'Tjebudja game (marionettes) Macdonald Downs, C. A. Iliaura Tr. Aug 1930 NBT'.
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

28. 'Tjebudja game Iliaura Tr. Macdonald Downs, C. A. Iliaura Tr. Aug 1930 NBT'.
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

29. 'Tjebudja game Iliaura Tr. Macdonald Downs C. A. Aug 1930 N B T.'.
    Two b/w photographic prints annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

30. 'Iliaura boy'.
    One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

31. 'Child 2 yrs old sliding down river bank'
    Remaining part of the annotation is illegible. One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

32. 'Bee bread chopped from top of nest Abmoara Creek 3 m n. of Macdonald Downs CA N B Tindale Aug 1930'.
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by N B Tindale.

    
    
    

33. 'Macropus robustus free tamed animal Macdonald Downs CA Aug 1930 N B Tindale photo'.
    An image of a kangaroo. Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

34. 'Alpalaita or grub gathering; grub in mouth Aug. 1930 Abmoara Creek 3 m N.E. Macdonald Downs. N. B. T. '
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

35. 'Climbing to get alpalaita grubs Abmoara Creek 3 m NE of Macdonald Downs CA Aug 1930 N B Tindale'.
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

36. 'Climbing to get alpalaita grubs Abmoara Creek 3 m NE of Macdonald Downs N B Tindale Aug 1930.'
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

37. 'Arakata (no 6) asleep Iliaura Tr. Macdonald Downs Aug. 1930 N B Tindale photo'.
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

38. 'Iliaura old man Macd D Aug 1930. Native map on sand of their country. The rivers in foreground junction at Macdonald Downs N. B. T'.
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

39. 'Alalda no 12 asleep in middle of day Macdonald Downs CA Iliaura tribe Aug [19]30 N B Tindale.
    Three b/w photographic prints annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

40. a) & b) 'Arailpar'lit Big mouth Sandy no 398 15yrs Iliaura Tr Macdonald Downs Aug 1930'.
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by N. B Tindale.

    
    
    

41. No caption.
    An image of a young man from photograph number 38. One b/w contact print marked as Acc. No. 1003.

    
    
    

42. As per no. 41.
    One b/w contact print copied from the acetate negative marked as Acc. No. 1003.

    
    
    

43. 'Iliaura boys Macdonald Downs Aug 1930 N. B. T.'.
    An image of a young man (Arailpar'lit) who is sitting on the ground, accompanied by two boys. One b/w photographic print and contact print copied from the acetate negative marked as Acc. No. 1003.

    
    
    

44. 'Uncommunicative old man, Iliaura Tr Macdonald Downs CA. Aug. 1930 N B Tindale'.
    Two b/w photographic prints depicting an old man sitting on the ground, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

45. 'Iliaura men at Macdonald Downs Aug. 1930 N B Tindale photo'.
    An image of two men sitting on the ground. Two b/w photographic prints annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

46. 'Father & son Iliaura Tr. Madonald Downs CA Aug. 1930 N B Tindale'.
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

47. 'Yenandoga (No 1.) making axe blank Mopunja Range S.E.of Macdonald Downs Aug. 1930 N. B. T.'.
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale. Further annotation on the second print indicates: 'Iliaura tribe'.

    
    
    

48. 'Jenandoga (Mcd. D. no 1) making axe blank Mopunja Range 14 m SE of Macdonald Downs Aug 1930 N B Tindale photo'.
    Three b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale. A vaguely different image of the same subject appears on the third print.

    
    
    

49. 'Iliaura man making axe blank Ilappa Mopunja Range 14 m SE of Macdonald Downs 8 1930 N. B. Tindale'.
    Two b/w photographic white photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

50. 'Old Iliaura tribe man making axe blank Mopunja Range 14 m SE of Macdonald Downs CA. Aug. 1920 [1930?] N B Tindale photo.'.
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

51. 'Axe blank making at Ilappa Mopunja 14 m SE of Macdonald Downs CA. Iliaura Tr N B Tindale Aug 1930'.
    Two b/w photographic prints, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

52. 'View looking NNW from Mt Ultim to Bundey gap on horizon Middle foreground Mt Ultim plateau'.
    One b/w photographic print annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

53. 'Looking NE from shelf below Mt Ultim summit showing "Cave" sandstone blocks NBT Sept 1930.'
    One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

54. 'Bitter Well looking SSE towards Cambrian strata Macdonnell Ra CA Sept 8 1930 NBT'.
    One b/w photographic print annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

55. '[illegible] bedded non fossiliferous sandstone at Arapia dipping 5-10 [degrees] to N overlying fossil zones 3 m NW of Bundey gap (Undala)'.
    One b/w nitrate negative, annotated by Tindale. Photographic print required.

    
    
    

56. '[illegible] bedded sandstones at Arapia native shelters 3 m. N. W. of Bundey Gap (Undala) dip 5-10 [degrees] to N.'.
    One b/w nitrate negative, annotated by Tindale. Photographic print required.

    
    
    

57. 'Arapia rock shelters 3 m NW of Bundey Gap (Undala) C. A. x bedded sandstone dipp. 5-10 [degrees] to N.'.
    One b/w nitrate negative, annotated by Tindale. Photographic print required.

    
    
    

58. Illegible caption: 'Madconald Downs'.
    n/w negative of butterflies. Annotation by NB Tindale.

    
    
    

59. as per no. 58

    
    
    

60. as per no. 58

    
    
    

61. 'Mbonyawara c 14 Iliaura tr. MacDonald Downs 8-1930'.
    Portrait of a woman (number 58). One b/w nitrate negative, annotated by Tindale. Photographic print required.

    
    
    

62. 'Rock painting of witchetty grub totem'.
    b/w photographic print. Further annotations by Tindale: 'Macd. Dtind[dale].

    
    
    

63. as per 62

    
    
    

64. 'Hands etc in red ochre Cave on SE wall of Mount Ultim C.A., N. B. T. Aug. - Sept 1930'.
    b/w photographic print containing image of rock painting. Annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

65. as per no. 64

    
    
    

66. No caption.
    An image of a person holding a witchetty grub. One b/w contact print copied form the acetate negative marked as Acc. N. 1003.

    
    
    

67. No caption.
    A group of young men eating honey. One b/w contact print copied from the acetate negative marked as Acc. No. 1003.

    
    
    

Vol. 2, photographs 68-90

THESE ITEMS ARE RESTRICTED
Photographs from 68 to 90 relate to men's ceremonies.

Vol. 3, photographs 91-152

91. 'Macd D Tind[ale].'
    An image of a boy holding a bee bread. Similar to no. 32. One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

92. 'Iliaura boy Macdonald Downs 8 1930 NB. T.'
    One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

93. 'Macd D Tind[ale]'.
    An image of a man. One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

94. 'Cooking grass seed cake Iliaura Tr. Macdonald Downs Aug 1930 N. B. T.'.
    One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

95. 'Iliaura man Macdonald Downs'
    One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

96. 'N. B. T. photographing axe making at [?] Ra 14 m SE of Macdonald Downs Aug 1930 N. B. T.'.
    One b/w photographic print, annotated by Tindale.

    
    
    

97. No caption.
    One b/w photographic print depicting a camping ground. Location: possibly MacDonald Downs.

    The following are Lantern slides and copy prints have been made from these.
    

    
    
    

98. 'Old woman Iliaura Tribe Macdonald Downs'

    
    
    

99. 'Grinding grass seeds to make paste MacDonald Downs 8/1930'

    
    
    

100. 'making cake from grass seeds. Scraping ashes from top of cake. After cooking [illegible] hot ashes fire scraped away Macdonald Downs '

     
     
     

101. '[illegible] 8/1930 small bark shield has been removed from the tree'

     
     
     

102. 'Iliaura Macdonald Downs 8/1930 native method of climbing tree'

     
     
     

103. 'Iliaura Tribe milling grass seed MacDonald Down CA'

     
     
     

104. 'Grinding grass seed in [illegible] hole near base of tree. Iliaura Macdonald Downs 8/1930'

     
     
     

105. 'Iliaura women carrying grass seed on plain MacDonald Downs 8/1930'

     
     
     

106. 'Boys Iliaura Tribe MacDonald Downs 8/1930 spinning leaves over fire - gum leaves trimmed & then curled in special way [illegible] leaves in hot air currents'

     
     
     

107. 'Iliaura children playing game using piece of bark + sticks 8/1930 Macdonald Downs NBT'

     
     
     

108. '[illegible] then adjacent trees are search for the honey + bees. Iliaura Macdonald Downs 8/1930

     
     
     

109. '[illegible] damper which he has just made from station flour [illegible] Macdonald 8/30'

     
     
     

110. 'Atnoala ceremony Iliaura Macdonald Downs 9/1930' This item is restricted

     
     
     

111. 'Atnoala ceremony Iliaura Macdonald Downs - final act 9/1930' This item is restricted

     
     
     

112. 'Atnoala ceremony Iliaura Macdonald Downs - completed 9/1930' This item is restricted

     
     
     

113. 'Iliaura woman winnowing grass seed. MacDonald Downs 8/1930 Pounding hole adjacent'

     
     
     

114. No Caption. Three Aboriginal Women holding coolamons

     
     
     

115. '[Illegible] grass seed in hole at base of tree - using sliding movement of feet MacDonald Downs 8/1930'

     
     
     

116. No Caption. Aboriginal Woman grinding grass seed with feet

     
     
     

117. No Caption. Aboriginal Woman winnowing grass seed

     
     
     

118. '[Illegible] Macdonalds Downs 8/1938' winnowing grass seed ith feet

     
     
     

119. 'Grass seeds [Illegible]. Macdonald Downs 8/1930'

     
     
     

120. No Caption. Aboriginal Woman with coolamon.

     
     
     

121. 'Macdonald Downs 9/1930 Collecting grass seed on plain. Iliaura women'

     
     
     

122. 'Grass seed cake making. Cake cooked- removing ashes from top Iliaura 8/1930'

     
     
     

123. 'Making grass seed damper pouring the thin paste on hot ashes Iliaura Tribe Macdonalds Downs 8/30'

     
     
     

124. 'Making fire ready to cook grass seed cake (paste inpitchi) Iliaura Macdonald Downs 8/1930'

     
     
     

125. 'making grass seed into paste Macdonald Downs Iliaura 8/30'

     
     
     

126. 'Making [Illegible] from grass seed - hardening surface of paste with hot sticks prior to covering with ashes

     
     
     

127. No Caption. Woman covering ashes

     
     
     

128. No Caption. Woman gathering grass

     
     
     

129. No Caption. Women making paste

     
     
     

130. 'Cake in pitchi - made form grass seeds. MacDonald Downs Iliaura Tribe'

     
     
     

131. Ceremony. This item is restricted

     
     
     

132. Ceremony. This item is restricted

     
     
     

133. 'Old men with old man stone at stone circle. MacDonald Downs 8/1930'

     
     
     

134. 'Preparing for Atnoala ceremony MacDonald Downs 8/1930.' This item is restricted

     
     
     

135. Ceremony. This item is restricted

     
     
     

136. 'Old man, with "old men stone" belonging to stone circle. Near MacDonald Downs NBT 8/1930'

     
     
     

137. 'Iliaura Tribe MacDonald Down 8/30'

     
     
     

138. No Caption. Aboriginal man sitting in a group.

     
     
     

139. No Caption. Aboriginal man leaning on spear, looking at gramaphone

     
     
     

140. No Caption. Aboriginal man leaning on spear, looking at gramaphone

     
     
     

141. No Caption. Aboriginal man sitting down with Tindale and others looking at gramaphone

     
     
     

142. 'Pulleine Wilkinson and Johnston Iliaura men examining picture of ceremonies in Spencer and Gillens book. [Illegible] Macdonald Downs 8/1930'

     
     
     

143. No Caption. Men sitting down listening to recordings.

     
     
     

144. No Caption. Pulleine sitting down with four Aboriginal men

     
     
     

145. 'Iliaura men listening to gramaphone' Same as 143

     
     
     

146. 'Extracting sticks and stones from sole after ceremonial [Illegible]'

     
     
     

147. '[Illegible] for wild honey Iliaura MacDonald Downs 8/1930'

     
     
     

148. No Caption. Aboriginal man looking at tree.

     
     
     

149. 'Iliaura men MacDonald Downs 8/30'

     
     
     

150. 'Rock shelter on Undooliya near MacDonald Downs 8/30'

     
     
     

151. This image is Restricted

     
     
     

152. This image is Restricted

     
     
     

153. This image is Restricted

     
     
     

Tindale Tribes: Iliaura.