About the collections
The Australian Museum holds natural science and cultural collections comprising many millions of specimens and objects. The Natural Science collections date from 1828 and document the biodiversity and geodiversity of the region. The Cultural collections include significant ethnographic and archaeological materials representing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures as well as Pacific Islander, Asian, African and American cultures.
These collections existed long before computer databases and adding our collections to the database and photographing them is an ongoing process. We will be continually updating the number of specimens and objects which will be available for you to view online. Search or browse the collections, associated data and stories.
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- A short outline of the Collection’s history.
- Aboriginal Group Sculpture 1925
- Alexander Morrison
- Andean Mummification
- Arjuna Metapa (Arjuna Meditating): Balinese painting E74247
- Balinese Cremation, Indonesia
- Banabans and Their Story
- Banks collection - history of acquisition
- Bharatayudha: Death of Abimanyu, Balinese painting E74174
- Calonarang Story: Balinese painting E74214
- Cape Mudge Repatriation
- Captain James Cook's Pacific Voyages
- Charles Darwin on Aboriginal Australians
- Collection of Reverend A.W. Brough - Tamil Nadu, India
- Cook collection - history of acquisition
- Cook's Pacific Voyages - Trade and Exchange
- Death of King Wirata’s Sons, Balinese painting E74209
- Death: the Last Taboo - Exhibition Text 2003 - Balinese Cremation
- Death: the Last Taboo - Exhibition Text 2003 - Mexican Dia de los Muertos
- Death: the Last Taboo - Exhibition Text 2003 - Toraja Funerary Ceremony
- Egyptian Mummification
- Folk tale Pan and Men Brayut, Balinese painting E74195
- Foundation of Anthropology Collections
- Journeys of Desire, Balinese painting E74212
- Mangku Mura, Balinese Artist
- Mathias Kauage - Biographical sketch (Exhibition 2003)
- Mexican Dia de los Muertos
- New Ireland, Malagan scultpture and ceremony - general
- Phillip Parker King (1791-1856)
- Ramayana: The Bridge to Langka, Balinese painting E74168
- Raven's Survival: Eskimo Spirit & Subsistence in the Far North - Exhibition Text 1990
- Shirase Sword, Japan, 1600 - 1650 AD
- Southwest Pueblo Pottery Manufacture - North America
- St Clair Mission
- Survival and Revival of the String Figures of Yirrkala
- Sydney Funnel-web Spider, Atrax robustus - Introduction
- Sydney Shield
- Sydney Shield B1788
- Textiles in Timor
- The Anthony Forge Collection of Balinese Paintings
- The Bruce and Black Collection from Mer (Murray Island), Torres Strait (about 1900)
- The Crocodile Mask from Torres Strait E17339
- The Hedley and McCulloch Collection: Torres Strait 1907
- The John Stacey Collection: north-west Canada, early 20th century
- The Morrison Collection
- The Wonnarua People of Hunter Valley, New South Wales
- Thomas Livingstone Mitchell (1792-1855)
- Tibetan Sky Burial
- Toraja Funerary Ceremony, Sulawesi, Indonesia
- Truganini (1812-1876)
- Year 1836: Captain Cook and Charles Darwin arrived in Sydney