Theodoor de Booy: Caribbean Expeditions and Collections at the National Museum of the American Indian

Abstract

Like many other regions throughout the world, the colonial experience in the Caribbean included the arrival of North American and European archaeologists representing museums, universities, or scientific academies. The objects, specimens, and archival documentation gathered during their research were taken back to their countries of origin and today form part of major collections in museums throughout the world. Theodoor de Booy of the Museum of the American Indian was one these early foreign scholars working in the Caribbean. He collected thousands of objects and created a large photographic collection from his 13 archaeological and one ethnographic expeditions throughout the region between 1911 and 1918. Considering the breadth of his work, de Booy could easily be considered the leading specialist of Caribbean archaeology of his time. Unfortunately, despite his successful career, his role in Caribbean archaeology and the quality of the collections he obtained are greatly underestimated by scholars working in the region. This paper discusses the nature of de Booy's travels and research throughout the Caribbean, from Cuba and Jamaica to Venezuela, and characterizes the collections, now held by the National Museum of the American Indian. The projects, collections, and publications are assessed within the context of the period, and his impact on the archaeology of the region is discussed.