Expeditions

Scientific Research

1915 Ethnologist, Bronislaw Malinowski, establishes himself on the Tobriand Islands.His published studies set an entirely new standard for the ethnology and the colonial administration.

1916 Paul Wirz, of Switzerland, begins his ethnographic field studies with the Marind Anima. Later his studies include the Sentani in the north and the Gogodara of the Pauan Gulf.

1919 A “Cargo-Cult” movement breaks out in the Papuan Gulf. (Vailala Madness).

1920-1922 During a Dutch expedition, J. H. G.  Kremper, reaches the highlands by crossing diagonally through the mountains and Mount Wilhelmina.

1926 Gold is found at the Edie Creek in Wau (Southeast of the Huon Gulf).

1927-1928 The first crossing of New Guinea from Fly to the Sepik river. 1933-1939 Government officials explore the Central Eastern highland in several expeditions. 1938-1939 On the way to the Western Highlands, Richard Archbold of Holland, leads a Dutch/American expedition (The Archbold Expedition) and discovers the Great Baliem Valley and the Dani.

1933-1939 Government officials explore the Central Eastern highland in several expeditions. 

1938-1939 On the way to the Western Highlands, Richard Archbold of Holland, leads a Dutch/American expedition (The Archbold Expedition) and discovers the Great Baliem Valley and the Dani.