Baiyini, Macassans, Balanda & Bininj: Culture Contact in North West Arnhem Land

Abstract

Preliminary results are presented from the initial field season of a joint archaeological research project from the Wellington Ranges and Anuru Bay region of north western Arnhem Land. The Namunidjbuk clan estate has revealed an extensive cultural heritage legacy that illustrates the complexity of interaction between cultures in Arnhem Land from early contact with Indonesian maritime communities through to the more recent post World War II period. An aspect of the research is to investigate the timings of Indonesian contact with northern Australian Indigenous communities. The evidence for this cultural contact is found in coastal Macassan trepang industry sites to the rock art shelters in the nearby inland sandstone ranges. This seminar will discuss the implications of this research for the Northern Territory's history and Indigenous archaeology, and the future directions of the joint research project. Show more