Ores and Other items of Natural History: Symbols of the Frontier in the Collection and Foundation of the State Museum of Goiás in the 1940s

Abstract

This article aims to discuss the foundation of the State Museum of Goiás and its relationship with the dissemination of the idea of the frontier of Central Brazil as a region of economic potential with natural resources to be exploited. The research is based on a diverse set of archival and bibliographic sources that describe and contextualize the museological exhibitions and objects in the context of the March to the West, and the relationship of cultural events with other institutions and the discourses of the occupation of the frontier. The archival sources highlight the role played by the first director of the Museum, Zoroastro Artiaga, and his political maneuverings to have the Institution selected as a vehicle for the dissemination of Geosciences and, especially, as a place to promote the natural resources of Goiás. The research also demonstrates that the museological intentions of constructing a collection of objects about the natural history of the Cerrado was more to advance the idea of the frontier of Central Brazil than to collect elements for the exhibition or for scientific research about Goiás’ natural resources.

Keywords:
Natural Museum of Goiás; Frontier; Natural History; Natural Resources