Ancient Australian Cave Paintings Depict Indonesian Warships, Suggesting Past Conflicts and Contact

Around several centuries ago, Aboriginal people in Australia created paintings of two watercraft inside a small cave, leaving archaeologists intrigued about their origins for nearly half a century.

However, a study, titled "Moluccan Fighting Craft on Australian Shores: Contact Rock Art from Awunbarna, Arnhem Land" published in Historical Archaeology, proposes a possible solution to this enigma: the artwork probably represents "fighting craft" that originated from present-day Indonesia, suggesting potential instances of "physical violence" between the Indigenous inhabitants and foreign visitors.

Aboriginal Rock Art Depict Warlike Features

Archaeologists have identified the boats depicted in the cave paintings as warships from the Moluccas, also known as the Maluku Islands, located north of Australia in Indonesia's eastern coast. This discovery sheds new light on the historical interactions in northern Australia, challenging the perception that the region was isolated for thousands of years.

Study co-author Daryl Wesley, an archaeologist from Flinders University, told ABC News Australia the significance of these findings in expanding our understanding of Australia's connection to the outside world.

While previous rock art has depicted fishing boats from Macassar, Indonesia, and European colonists' ships, these Moluccan boats have distinct characteristics that suggest a ceremonial or combat purpose. Dr. Wesley suggests that they may have been utilized for raids, trade, or even slavery, as they differ significantly from the typical trading or fishing vessels depicted in other artworks.

The level of detail in the paintings indicates that the Indigenous artists had close encounters with these boats, as they accurately captured various elements such as paddles, prowl boards, and decorative details.

More so, the meticulous representation of the warships implies that the Indigenous artists had more than a fleeting view from the shoreline. Their ability to capture intricate features and decorative elements indicates a deeper familiarity with the vessels, emphasizing the significance of these interactions between Indigenous people and foreign cultures.

These findings provide valuable insights into the complex history of interactions and exchanges that occurred long ago in the region.

Aboriginal People Recorded Their Meetings With Foreign Visitors

Associate Professor Wendy van Duivenvoorde from Flinders University said that the presence of the Moluccan fighting vessels in Australia challenges the traditional understanding of Macassan coastal fishing and trading, suggesting a more significant contact and exchange between the two groups.

As per Live Science, this discovery provides valuable insights into the interactions between Indigenous people and visitors from the Moluccan islands, expanding our understanding of their encounters and relationships.

Paul Tacon, a distinguished professor at Griffith University Centre for Social Cultural Research, commented on the significance of the artwork in recording Aboriginal people's interactions with foreign visitors. He stated that the research presents compelling evidence of contact between Aboriginal people in Arnhem Land, Australia, and mariners from the Moluccan islands several centuries ago.

The detailed rock paintings of Moluccan watercraft, which exhibit distinct features, offer a unique and informative perspective on historical encounters.