The State of the State Collection

Abstract

Queensland Museum has been developing a State archaeological collection since 1968 with the acquisition of the iconic Kenniff Cave assemblage. However, the Museum’s archaeological collection is far older with the earliest acquisitions commencing from 1870. Today the Museum is custodian to approximately 200 000 artefacts and more than 1450 archaeological sites. This paper provides a summary of the collection and provides some insights into the highlights, collection development and management of this highly significant collection. 

About the Presenters

Nick Hadnutt and Lincoln Morse

Nick is the Archaeology curator in Queensland Museum’s Cultures and Histories Program, responsible for researching, curating and sharing the Museum’s archaeology collections. Nick’s research specialisation is historical archaeology, and his interests include the changing role of museums since their inception, 19th and 20th century material culture and how that reflects Queensland’s changing cultural landscape and the application of digital technology to cultural heritage recording and interpretation.

Lincoln is the Assistant Collection Manager responsible for the storage, data management, loans and maintenance of the archaeological collections and the Queensland Museum. Lincoln specialises in large scale storage upgrades, exhibition installation, and collection logistics across the Cultures and Histories program and collections.