Collections and exchange networks in early 20th century Amazonia: considerations on the legacy of Emília Snethlage

The aim of this research note is to investigate the participation of the Museum of Pará in the ‘museum movement’ that took place in the transition from the 19th to the 20th century, analysing a collection of mammals collected by Emília Snethlage in the interior of the Amazon and later sent to the British Museum for species identification. The research is situated in the field of the History of Science and among the sources of information used are works published by Snethlage, a message from the Governor of the State of Pará to the Legislative Assembly, a periodical from the British institution and correspondence. Analysing the documentation allows us to visualise the different aspects that permeate the construction of scientific knowledge. With regard to the identification of new species, the heterogeneity and asymmetry of the actors involved in the stages of collecting, transporting and determining the animals can be listed. In conclusion, it can be seen how scientific activities cannot be dissociated from social and political contexts.

Keywords
Emília Snethlage; Amazon; Collections; Natural History; Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi