Report on the Work of the Horn Scientific Expedition to Central Australia. Vol. 2, Parts 3 and 4

1896

Expedition Reports Q115 H7 1894

London: Dulau and Co.

In May 1894, five scientists, four camel-drivers, ‘two collectors, two prospectors, one aboriginal tracker and one cook’ set off on a 2000-kilometre trip into uncharted Australian territory, 1000 kilometres north of Adelaide. Financed by mining magnate, farmer, and politician, William Austin Horn, the expedition party travelled for three months collecting and describing newly discovered species of mammals and fish. They also made geological, botanical and anthropological observations with the help of the local aboriginal tribes – the Arrernte and Luritja peoples. These rock drawings were recorded by the expedition party en route – the painting in the top left depicts an emu sitting on her eggs.