[2] Following demobilisation, he studied psychology and anthropology at the University of Sydney, and between 1953 and 1979, on the suggestion of A. P. Elkin, he carried out research amongst the Warlpiri (Walbiri) of Central Australia and the people of Engan Province, Papua New Guinea.
His works include The Lineage System of the Mae Engan and Desert People: A Study of the Walbiri Aborigines of Australia.
But perhaps his most noted work is "Blood is Their Argument," an intensive analysis of the warfare habits of the Engan tribes.
In his work on the people of Enga in Papua New Guinea Meggitt found a firmly patrilineal system.
This was unusual as compared to other highland groups, which tended to be organized on a basis of residence as well as descent.