This series comprises annotated copies of Tindale's 'Map Showing the Distribution of the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia', published in 'Results of the Harvard-Adelaide Universities Anthropological Expedition, 1938-1939, Distribution of Australian Aboriginal Tribes: A Field Survey' (in Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, 64(1), 1940). (See also series AA 338/1/15 'Harvard and Adelaide Universities Anthropological Expedition, Australia, 1938-1939. Journal and notes by Norman B. Tindale.')

Beginning in the 1920s, Tindale set out to prove that Aboriginal groups did relate to territorially distinct regions that could be successfully mapped. Based upon expedition data, field work among Aboriginal people and published and unpublished data obtained by other researchers, the map is a precursor to Tindale's 1974 Tribal Boundaries in Aboriginal Australia (see series AA 338/19).

'Tribal' names, geographical features, major cities, states and references to archaeological sites are printed in black. 'Defined' and 'approximate Tribal Boundaries' and 'limits of distribution of rite of circumcision' and 'sub-incision' are printed in green. An inset at bottom right includes the state of Tasmania. Other information includes 'Notes regarding phonetic symbols employed: these Tribal Names are written in the Alphabet of the International Phonetic Association as adapted to Australian Languages by a Committee at the University of Adelaide 1930-31.' Scale: 1 inch = 100 miles or 16 mm = 100 km (approximate).

Tindale's annotations include additions and corrections to boundaries and Aboriginal place names. Only one map includes the date of annotation (1952).

'Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia. 1940'

A margin note reads: 'N. B. Tindale 1st proof'. Annotations include boundary and spelling corrections and sketch marks in pencil and india ink.

'Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia. 1940'

Printed blue silk map containing handwritten instructions in india ink for the printer and a signature [Tindale?] at bottom, dated '20.6.40'.

'Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia. 1940'

All 'tribal' names are underlined in black or red pen with additional annotations in pencil.

'Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia. 1940'

Cloth-backed map containing spelling and boundary corrections in pencil and ball-point pen.

'Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia. 1940'

Additional 'tribal' names in various ink colours have been noted on the map over time (no dates).

'Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia. 1940'

Map contains boundary lines, areas of shading and hash marks in red ink. The annotations are worn and nearly illegible.

'Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia. 1940'

Bounded areas numbered from 1 to 24 are drawn on the map in blue pencil. Corrections to numbers made in red crayola. Tindale's margin note reads: 'In Red Birdsells revised Nos (tentative) 1952' (see also map 338/17/8).

'Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia. 1940'

Bounded areas numbered from 10 to 14 are sketched on the map in blue pencil (see also map AA 338/17/7).

This map was previously accessioned as AA 338/7, No. 718.

'Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia. 1940'

Locations including Ernabella (SA), and Alice Springs and Mount Liebig in Central Australia are underlined in pencil or marked with an 'x'.

'Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia. 1940'

A single annotation in pencil reads: 'Bidewel boundary perhaps too far south ? Should be at Twofold Bay'.

'Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia. 1940'

A margin note in pencil reads: 'Sample of 1st edition of map (1940) Appendix III The new edition will be larger and more detailed'. Signed 'Norman B. Tindale'.

'Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia. 1940'

A margin note in india ink reads: 'S. A. Museum with compliments of Norman B. Tindale 1941'.

'Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia. 1940'

Contains numerical data in pencil recorded in the 'tribal' areas on map (purpose unclear). Note at bottom reads: '1 square = 164 sq miles read area in sq miles to nearest round 50 miles'. Map was found in Tindale's filing cabinet ('Private Research Notes - Anthropology') in folder labelled 'Mann Range 1933 Unpublished Report' (338/14/259).

'Map showing the distribution of the Aboriginal Tribes of Australia. 1940'

Contains numerical data in blue and lead pencils recorded in the 'tribal' areas on map. Tindale's note at bottom reads: 'Areas of tribes in Sq[uare] miles to round figures'. Additional note refers to climate data sketched in blue and red: 'Thornthwaite climate lines from Gentille's map.' Map was found in Tindale's filing cabinet ('Private Research Notes - Anthropology') in an unlabelled folder containing material on Aboriginal population distribution, 1961-1969. Folder is located between 338/14/263, 'Maps on Australian subjects' and 338/14/264, 'Map of SE of SA Tanganekald data'.