BRITISH MUSEUM - ETHNOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT, CENTRE FOR ANTHROPOLOGY

Description: Over 100 different film and video programmes are held. Most of the films have been purchased since 1970, primarily for use in public shows at the Museum, but others are kept mainly for reference. Subjects relevant to cultural anthropology and some archaeology are included.
Website: http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/ethno/ethhome.html
Keywords: Ethnography; Anthropology; Trances
Facilities: By public shows or by appointment with the Audio-Visual Unit, British Museum, Great Russell Street, London WC1 (Tel: 020 7323 8505/8214. Fax: 020 8323 8827.) Films and videos cannot be loaned.
Charges: Charges for facilities and handling. Handling charges may be made for the reproduction of the few items for which copyright is held.
Copyright: In most cases information on copyright holders may be researched from acquisition information. The Museum itself does not hold copyright on more than two or three items and its collection is held for theatre and research viewing rather than to supply footage to film-makers.

Video/Film: Video: Includes videotapes of some public showing films (listed under film holdings) and other films, including some of Granada TV’s Disappearing World series. Acquisition rate of five or ten per annum. Documentary.
Video components: VHS Video.
Film: The holdings include 16mm films for public showings (about 50); 12,000 ft of film dating from the 1930s and earlier including film of Aborigines made in 1930s, of Veddas (Ceylon) in the 1930s or earlier and of New Guinea, perhaps 1904; Dr William Sargent’s collection on trance, spirit possession, etc., provisionally edited and catalogued; and original unedited reject film material from the BBC Tribal Eye series.
Film components: 16mm, positive film.

Other information: File of basic information on origin, acquisition and content, plus additional documentation where available, may be viewed by appointment at the Students’ Room, British Museum, Ethnography Department, Burlington Gardens, LONDON W1S 2EX, (Tel: 020 7323 8041/8044. Fax: 020 7323 8013).

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