Archaeologists say Moluccan boats depicted in Arnhem Land rock art, solving mystery

via ABC News, 28 May 2023: Archaeologists from Flinders University have discovered rock art in north-western Arnhem Land, Australia, depicting ships from the Maluku Islands in Indonesia, suggesting that these boats may have reached Australian shores prior to colonization and providing new insights into the interactions between Australia’s indigenous people and foreign visitors.

Archaeologists believe they have solved the decades-long mystery surrounding two boats depicted in north-western Arnhem Land rock art.

At Awunbarna, also known as Mount Borradaile, the rock shelters are decorated with paintings of European ships, guns, fish, prawns and macropods.

But since the 1970s, two specific paintings of boats have stood out as different to western archaeologists.

Researchers from Flinders University have this month published findings that suggest the art depicts ships from the Maluku Islands — previously known as the Moluccas — in Indonesia, which could have reached Australian shores prior to colonisation.

Source: Archaeologists say Moluccan boats depicted in Arnhem Land rock art, solving mystery – ABC News