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The Material Histories: Objects as Sources? symposium considers the different ways curators, archaeologists, historians and anthropologists approach physical evidence. Includes many examples of the ways material culture is being used in museums and galleries.

Viewpoints on material culture

Historian Margaret Anderson, curator Guy Hansen, anthropologist Fred Myers and archaeologist Mike Smith reflect on the way their four different disciplines have approached physical evidence at the 2008 National Museum Collections Symposium.
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Presenters: Margaret Anderson, Guy Hansen, Fred Myers and Mike Smith

Showcases I – examples of material culture research in museums

Four Museum curators provide examples of material culture research into a boomerang, tools used by Hmong gardeners, a dress worn at the opening of Parliament House in 1927 and objects from the Snowy Hydro-Electric Scheme.
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Presenters: Christine Hansen, Susannah Helman, Matthew Higgins and Alison Mercieca

Showcases II – examples of material culture research in museums

Curators outline examples of material culture research in Australian museums through objects including a wall-hanging crafted in a refugee camp, a military jacket, a wool collection, mining models and Australian Inland Mission Frontier Fête material.
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Presenters: Matthew Churchward, Ian Coates, Erika Dicker, Karen Schamberger and Craig Wilcox

Collections used to interpret the past: panel and audience discussion

Wrapping up the National Museum’s Collections 2008 symposium, leading historians reflect on the ways in which collections can be used to interpret the past, and the issues and problems faced in doing so.
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Presenters: Graeme Davison, Paula Hamilton, Philip Jones and Maria Nugent
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