What's Happening in Cannington, WA…

Archaeologists from Welshpool, Western Australia, have teamed up with colleagues from the University of Western Australia (UWA) to examine several archaeological sites connected to the shipwreck of the Batavia.

The Welshpool team from the Western Australian Museum have already assisted in the latest excavation of an adolescent person from one burial site.

According to the UWA’s Dr Daniel Franklin, the discovery of the human burial site was a first for archaeological investigations, and to have been undisturbed until this day provides a unique opportunity to retrace the circumstances of the individual’s death and burial.

The Museum’s Maritime Archaeology chief, Jeremy Green, described it as an important find that would provide an insight into the life of sailors who served on ships owned by the Dutch East India Company.

The shipwreck of the Batavia, which was reported to be carrying about 341 people, dates back to 1629. Most survived the wreck by swimming to nearby islands, but almost 200 died later as the result of a mutiny among survivors.

It was not until 1963 that the wreck site was discovered.

Among the finds was a mass grave located in 1999 at Beacon Island. The examined sites have been the subject of many reports, which has kept the Museum’s printing services busy ensuring all records have been documented for future reference.

The current expedition is expected to study a minimum of two other known burial sites, according to Green.