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PastMasters We are a DGR approved, not-for-profit Heritage Research Institute for North Australia

Kilwa's beaches in East Africa have yielded tiny copper coins & broken pottery. The coins begin c950AD & the pottery includes Chinese Celadon (qingci) of a similar age. Kilwa coins c900 years old were found on Arnhemland's Wessel Islands in 1944. Kilwa was sacked by the Portuguese in 1513 - they were established on Timor in 1515 so were they the vector. The last millennium is a useful period in which to explore the notion of vessels running south to avoid pirates or to stage at freshwater sites moving westward to Cape Wessel where the fresh SE Trade would carry them northwards and home. Our work is an amalgam of western science and Aboriginal cultural knowledge to winnow hard fact from myth and lead us to the evidence of Australia's earliest visitors.

In today’s National Indigenous Times an article on our colleagues Terry and Clely.
28/10/2026

In today’s National Indigenous Times an article on our colleagues Terry and Clely.

The next time you round northeast Arnhem Land’s dramatic Cape Wilberforce (Dholtji, in Warramiri country), consider the ...
26/10/2026

The next time you round northeast Arnhem Land’s dramatic Cape Wilberforce (Dholtji, in Warramiri country), consider the origins of its naming: Matthew Flinders named the cape on the 14th February 1803 in honour of abolitionist William Wilberforce. While Wilberforce’s efforts to abolish the slave trade were not successful for another four years, his influence in the British parliament in the early 1800s was nonetheless undeniable. His spiritual advisor (and priest since childhood) was none other than John Newton, the reformed African slave trader and composer of the classic hymn, ‘Amazing Grace.’

24/10/2026

Archaeologists have found a huge trove of extraordinary artefacts preserved in the arid soil at Juukan Gorge, years after an ancient rock shelter within it was destroyed by a Rio Tinto blast.

The Dutch ships Pera and the Arnhem played a prominent role in maritime exploration, the latter giving its name to the I...
24/10/2026

The Dutch ships Pera and the Arnhem played a prominent role in maritime exploration, the latter giving its name to the Indigenous homeland known as Arnhem Land. In January 1623, both ships were sent out on a joint expedition from Ambon to explore the southern coast of New Guinea and to find potential trading opportunities. The Pera was captained by Jan Carstenszoon and the Arnhem by Dirk Melisz (who was killed during a landing in New Guinea), with command being transferring to second mate, Willem Joosten van Colster. The Arnhem was in poor structural condition and repeatedly ran aground, developed severe seam cracks, suffered from a flooded hold that ruined gunpowder and rice, and even lost its rudder after a collision with the Pera. After separating from the Pera in April 1623, the Arnhem drifted westward across the gulf where it sighted and mapped a vast region of northern Australia now known as Arnhem Land. Shown here is a 1620s Verbeeck painting of a three-masted Dutch ship from the Royal Greenwich Museum.

The Wessel Islands are named after the Dutch East India Company’s small prefabricated yacht ‘Wesel’ which explored north...
21/10/2026

The Wessel Islands are named after the Dutch East India Company’s small prefabricated yacht ‘Wesel’ which explored northeast Arnhem Land in 1636. The yacht was built in the Netherlands and assembled in Banda and was named after the German city of Wesel. Matthew Flinders kept a modified version of the name (Wessel) in his 1803 Australian charts.

Mega thanks to MAGNT & Jared Archibald for bringing two of the museum's Crown Jewels to the book launch. A piece of the ...
20/10/2026

Mega thanks to MAGNT & Jared Archibald for bringing two of the museum's Crown Jewels to the book launch. A piece of the tree blazed by JMD Stuart in 1862 at Chambers Bay is a major Territory Treasure but cast into the shade by a unique 'Officer's Shoulder Belt Plate' from 'The Buffs' who were at Fort Dundas from the outset in 1824 until relieved by the 57th in Sept. 1826. This comparison of the complete plate with parts of others found at the fort shows minor discrepancies suggesting 'hand-made' rather than cast or stamped. A fantastic artefact that capped off a very fine evening.

More photos from the ‘Territory Treasures’ launch. We had asked our followers to bring forward artefacts in their posses...
18/10/2026

More photos from the ‘Territory Treasures’ launch. We had asked our followers to bring forward artefacts in their possession related to Top End history and both individuals and institutions responded with gusto. See below, for example, for remnants of a very large Macassan pot from the English Company’s Islands and various old bottles from a bygone era. Right now our book has sold out on the NT Historical Society website so as an interim measure, if you want to buy a copy, please email PM Peter Lane who has some extra copies at [email protected]. The cost is the same ($35 plus $15 postage).

Over 100 souls braved the brutal ‘build-up’ heat in Darwin for the Territory Treasures launch. The new Member for Mulka,...
17/10/2026

Over 100 souls braved the brutal ‘build-up’ heat in Darwin for the Territory Treasures launch. The new Member for Mulka, Yiwarr McGrath did the honours and officially launched the book. A good time was had by all and the many compliments we received were truly humbling. Yiwarr is shown here with the PastMasters MO, PL, IM, TS and MH.

An earlier version of this map showing the spheres of influence of the Sultanates of Gowa and Tallo (in Makassar) during...
14/10/2026

An earlier version of this map showing the spheres of influence of the Sultanates of Gowa and Tallo (in Makassar) during the reign of Sultan Hasanuddin in 1658 can be found in the Tallo Royal House. As this is before the fall of Makassar to the Dutch and Bugis, and well prior to the start of the trepang industry in 1750, I am dubious about the north Australia connection. Sama Bajau (Sea Gypsies), however—who were allied with the Sultanates—were probably in the vicinity.

Selling like hot cakes at the Bookshop, in Darwin’s Smith Street Mall.
14/10/2026

Selling like hot cakes at the Bookshop, in Darwin’s Smith Street Mall.

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