Local knowledge & indigenous agency in the history of exploration : Studies from the RGS-IBG collections
This thesis is about the role of local knowledge and indigenous agency in histories of nineteenth-century exploration. Focusing especially on the archival collections of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), it examines four case studies in order to consider the nature and significance of European dependence on local inhabitants during exploratory expeditions. Following traces of non-European intermediaries who contributed to the 'work' of exploration, but seldom received any recognition, the thesis also engages with the methodological challenge of reading metropolitan scholarly collections 'against the grain' in the hope of retrieving marginalised voices or experiences. The theme of archival visibility is thus as important as that of erasure. The first case study reconsiders of one of the most celebrated examples of nonEuropean participation, i.e. the pandits of the Survey of India. Focusing especially on published accounts, it questions the concept of a 'heroic indigene'. The second case study develops the idea of archival visibility with a discussion of Thomas Baines' oil paintings and sketches from the North Australian Expedition of 1855- 57. Considering the functions of expeditionary picture making,
Jones, Lowri Madeleine
Local knowledge & indigenous agency in the history of exploration : Studies from the RGS-IBG collections. This thesis is about the role of local knowledge and indigenous agency in histories of nineteenth-century exploration. Focusing especially on the archival collections of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), it examines four case studies in order to consider the nature and significance of European dependence on local inhabitants during exploratory expeditions. Following traces of non-European intermediaries who contributed to the 'work' of exploration, but seldom received any recognition, the thesis also engages with the methodological challenge of reading metropolitan scholarly collections 'against the grain' in the hope of retrieving marginalised voices or experiences. The theme of archival visibility is thus as important as that of erasure. The first case study reconsiders of one of the most celebrated examples of nonEuropean participation, i.e. the pandits of the Survey of India. Focusing especially on published accounts, it questions the concept of a 'heroic indigene'. The second case study develops the idea of archival visibility with a discussion of Thomas Baines' oil paintings and sketches from the North Australian Expedition of 1855- 57. Considering the functions of expeditionary picture making,
local knowledge indigenous agency history exploration studies collection role local knowledge indigenous agency history nineteenth_century exploration focusing especially archival collection royal geographical society examine four_case study order_consider nature_significance european dependence local inhabitant exploratory expedition following trace non_european intermediary contribute work exploration seldom receive recognition also engage methodological challenge read metropolitan scholarly collection against grain hope retrieve voice experience theme archival visibility thus important first case_study reconsiders celebrate example participation survey india focusing especially publish account question concept heroic second case_study develop idea archival visibility discussion thomas oil painting sketch north australian expedition considering function picture making