Vladimir V. Troitsky and his collection in Anthropological museum
The expedition of the well-known scientist V.V. Troitsky (1885-1952) to the unexplored regions of Central Africa in 1912-1914 and his ethnographic collection, presented to the Anthropological Museum of the Moscow University are discussed for the first time in the Russian scientific literature. The aim of the expedition was to investigate geography and fauna of the region between the lakes Victoria and Tanganyika. It was supported by the Academy of Sciences and Moscow University. V.V. Troitsky, Moscow university graduate in zoology, became so interested in the diversity of population physical appearance and culture, he came across during his expedition, that he decided to specialize in anthropology and its practical applications in medicine. The collection of 54 items demonstrates material culture of three Bantu peoples: Burundians, Haya, and Swahili. It contains, among other items, ammunition, bast-fiber nonvowen bonded fabric (tapa cloth), clay vessels, basketry, adornments and money equivalents.