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Robbins (Sterling) Papers
MSS 0767
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla 92093-0175
Title: Sterling Robbins Papers
Creator:
Robbins, Sterling
Identifier/Call Number: MSS 0767
Physical Description:
6 Linear feet
(13 archives boxes and one shoebox)
Date (inclusive): 1962-1965
Abstract: The Sterling Robbins papers contain his research and observations of the indigenous Auyana people in the eastern highlands
of Papua New Guinea between 1963 and 1965.
Languages:
English
.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Sterling Robbins papers contain his research and observations of the indigenous Auyana people in the eastern highlands
of Papua New Guinea between 1963 and 1965. His work there was part of the Micro-Evolution Project led by Professor James B.
Watson at the University of Washington, and focused on documenting social movements and social structure of highland societies.
The collection includes handwritten field note journals with observations about Auyana valley villages and their inhabitants
from approximately September 1963 to September 1965. Robbins created an extensive set of vocabulary cards with Awiyaana to
English translations, and conducted a variety of interviews and psychological and cognitive tests.
The collection also includes a sizable audio-visual component with approximately 70 reel-to-reel tapes with recordings of
songs, rituals, and autobiographies. Also included are several dozen 35mm film slides and photo prints with scenes of marriages,
funerals, surgery, religion, cultural events, landscapes and portraits.
Arranged in three series: 1) LANGUAGE, 2) RESEARCH, and 3) AUDIOVISUAL MATERIALS.
Sterling G. Robbins was born in Dodge City, Kansas in 1936. Robbins attended the University of Washington for his graduate
studies, earning a Ph.D. in Anthropology in 1970. His dissertation, "Warfare, marriage, and the distribution of goods in Auyana"
met mixed reviews in the anthropology community and was later revised, expanded and published as Auyana: Those who Held onto
Home (1982). After he earned his Ph.D. Robbins was associated with the University of California, Los Angeles in the early
1970s and after some time became associated with the University of Hawaii.
Sterling Robbins Papers. MSS 767. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Acquired 2014
Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.
Original audiovisual formats are restricted. Listening copies may be available for researchers.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Anthropologists -- United States -- Archives
Anthropology -- Melanesia
Anthropology -- Papua New Guinea
Auyana (Papua New Guinea people)
Robbins, Sterling -- Archives