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Films

National Museum of Natural History

Object Details

Collection Creator
Solecki, Ralph S.
Solecki, Rose L.
See more items in
Ralph S. and Rose L. Solecki papers
Ralph S. and Rose L. Solecki papers / Series 1: Shanidar Cave and Zawi Chemi Shanidar, Iraq
Sponsor
Funding for the partial processing of this collection was provided by the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund
Extent
The materials received so far consist of camera original 16mm color and black & white reversal motion picture film along with 16mm duplicate color positive prints. Some of the 16mm print material appears to be unique with regard to the camera original and some of the print rolls include a magnetic sound stripe along the edge. However, there is no other indication, in the accompanying notes or on the original can labels, that there is recorded sound. Magnetic stripes were added in many cases to record narration onto 16mm film. A film duplication facility can test for an audio signal. Likewise, the ¾-inch U-matic videos received with the collection appear to be the results of film-to tape transfers of Dr. Solecki's original film made by various production companies for use in television programs (for example, National Geographic and KQED in Pittsburgh, PA are indicated on the labels of 2 of the 5 tapes).
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
The film exhibits signs of extensive handling and considerable wear: perforation and sprocket damage, scratches, dirt, etc. The film has a slight odor of acetate deterioration; A-D strip testing did not indicate any rolls greater than "1". Judging by some of the labels and notes attached to the original film cans, some film rolls appeared switched from their designated cans most likely while at film and video labs. Dr. Solecki's notes helped to correct this, but as stated above, some notes indicate possible additional footage currently not accounted for.
Date
1951-1993
Archival Repository
National Anthropological Archives
Identifier
NAA.2016-29, Subseries 1.9
Type
Archival materials
Collection Citation
Ralph S. and Rose L. Solecki papers, National Anthropological Archives, Smithsonian Institution
Arrangement
Subseries 1.9 is arranged chronologically.
Processing Information
More films were added to the collection with accession 2018-10 and are currently in process.
Collection Rights
Contact the repository for terms of use.
Scope and Contents
Original and duplicate print motion picture films and video transfer copies from anthropologist Ralph S. Solecki related to his archaeological field work in Iraq, Syria and Turkey from 1953-1965. These A-V materials form part of the Ralph S. Solecki papers at the National Anthropological Archives. The film footage documents several archaeological sites excavated by Dr. Solecki included the excavations at Shanidar Cave in Northern Iraq. Also include in the footage is documentation of the daily life in the area surrounding the digs and the local inhabitants hired to assist with the labor involved in the extensive excavations. Notes accompanying the film rolls identify local communities as Kurdish and Yezidi. An item level Excel inventory created with notes on the condition of the individual rolls as well as basic technical evaluation sheets started for the technical file.
Related link
Record ID
ebl-1566232238184-1566232238795-1
Metadata Usage
CC0
GUID
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nw37a6531f7-352b-4ccd-8645-15b1981eff46

Related Content

  • Ralph S. and Rose L. Solecki papers

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