The Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology

Museums exist all over the world. Their main purpose is to preserve our history. Collections of artefacts of cultural, historic, artistic and scientific significance are found in museums worldwide. Here, they are cared for and displayed for public enjoyment and education. Museum artefacts are preserved for future generations. Anthropology is the study of the development of human societies and cultures.

 

The Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology is dedicated to preserving the heritage of Guyana’s earliest settlers, the Amerindians.

History of the Walter Roth Museum

The building that Walter Roth museum currently occupies was constructed by architect John Sharp sometime in 1890. It was bought by Duncan McRae then sold to the then government of British Guiana. It was acquired by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Social Development and decided to be made into a museum.

The Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology is the first and oldest museum of anthropology in and the English speaking Caribbean. The Walter Roth Museum, founded by Sir Everard Ferdinand im Thurn is one of several museums in Guyana. It was named in honour of Walter Edmund Roth. This museum was established in 1974 in Bartica. Due to funding issues, it was moved to present location on 61 Main Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown. This new location in the heart of Georgetown was opened to the public in 1982.

Significance of this Museum

Its purpose is to preserve the life, customs and habits of our Indigenous people. It is one of the only places in Guyana where you can experience the culture of the Amerindians free of cost.

Inside the Walter Roth Museum

When you enter the museum, you step into a primitive place belonging to our ancestors. Some of the things that can be founded here are rock paintings, arrowheads, baskets, pottery, and even dried herbs like sage. You can also see a miniature Amerindian hammock, the tools and material used to make it. Toy bows, arrows, canoes and a child’s calabash pouch are on display. You are also greeted with a wooden life-size canoe, slightly cracked at the end and a paddle. Dark rocks with white engravings are arranged in a similar formation the Indigenous people on the floor of the museum.

 

 

Artefacts in the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology

The artefacts that are displayed at the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology have been collected from the ten (10) administrative regions of Guyana. The Indigenous people had little to no technology available to them and they made use of whatever they could find in their natural surroundings. In the early ages mainly stone was used to make tools since the Amerindians did not find other materials useful. They used rocks as spearheads and knives.

Significant Contributors to the Museum

• Sir Everard im Thurn – author, explorer, botanist, photographer and Governor of Fiji.
• Dr. Denis Williams – Guyanese Archaeologist,
• Dr. George P. Mentore – Guyanese Cultural Anthropologist,
• Dr. Betty J. Meggers
• Clifford Evans
• Mr J.J. Quelch

Activities at the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology

On alternating Saturdays, the museum opens specially for the children of Guyana. A junior archaeology programme is offered for eight-year-old children where they spend their day having fun and learning new skills. Here, they can learn the art of making baskets, pottery and learn words in the dialect of the Amerindians.

In addition to being one of the oldest building in Guyana, the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology holds significant value to the Amerindians and Guyanese people as a whole. It preserves various artefacts gathered from the nine tribes of our Indigenous people of Guyana. When you visit this museum do your bit by making even a tiny donation to the museum. This donation helps to preserve the work at the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology, and in turn, preserves our rich and diverse Guyanese culture.

Contact Details of the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology

• Address: 61 Main Street, North Cummingsburg, Georgetown.
• Telephone: (592) 225 8486
• Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:00hrs to 16:30hrs, Friday 8:00hrs- 15:30hrs.
• Admission: Free

Article References:

• https://exploreguyana.org/guyana-museums/
• https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2009/04/05/the-walter-roth-museum-%E2%80%93-a-preserver-of-the-amerindian-legacy/
• http://historicalrepositories.blogspot.com/2009/07/walter-roth-museum-of-anthropology.html