Bureau of Ethnology - Southwestern US - 1883
....7/8/24The Bureau of American Ethnology (BAE), originally named the Bureau of Ethnology, was established by Congress in 1879 within the Smithsonian Institution. Its primary mission was to conduct anthropological research among the Native American tribes of North America. The bureau played a significant role in the development of American anthropology as a discipline and was instrumental in documenting Native American history, culture, and linguistics through extensive fieldwork and publications.Key Activities and Contributions1. Research and Documentation: - The BAE conducted extensive ethnographic, archaeological, and linguistic field research. This included multi-year projects and the collection of artifacts, photographs, and other materials related to Native American cultures[1][3]. - The bureau's staff included some of America's earliest field anthropologists, such as Frank Hamilton Cushing, James Owen Dorsey, and Jesse Walter Fewkes[3].2. Publications: - The BAE produced numerous publications, including Annual Reports, Bulletins, and the series "Contributions to North American Ethnology." These works were richly illustrated and documented various aspects of Native American life[1][2][3]. - Notable publications include John Ewers's "Hair Pipes in Plains Indian Adornment" and Franz Boas's "The Central Eskimo"[1][2].3. Collections and Exhibits: - The BAE served as the official repository for materials and collections related to American Indians, including artifacts collected during federal surveying and collecting expeditions to the American West[2][3]. - The bureau prepared exhibits for expositions and contributed to the Smithsonian United States National Museum's anthropological collections[3].4. Photographic and Artistic Documentation: - The BAE gathered thousands of photographs, especially of Native diplomats who visited Washington, D.C., to negotiate with the U.S. government. These photographs were often used in their publications and exhibits[4]. - The bureau utilized various printing techniques, such as wood engraving and electrotypes, to reproduce field photographs and illustrations in their publications[2].5. Archival and Manuscript Collections: - The BAE developed a comprehensive manuscript repository, library, and illustrations section, which included field notes, journals, and correspondence from anthropologists and other scholars[3][5].Legacy and MergerIn 1965, the BAE merged with the Smithsonian's Department of Anthropology to form the Smithsonian Office of Anthropology within the United States National Museum (now the Department of Anthropology, National Museum of Natural History). The archives of the BAE became part of the National Anthropological Archives in 1968[3].Overall, the Bureau of American Ethnology significantly contributed to the preservation and understanding of Native American cultures and the broader field of anthropology through its extensive research, publications, and collections.Source: Perplexity.aiCurated by Gabrielle Ly
