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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.

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.

The Territory's newest MLA - Yiwarr McGrath from Elcho Island - will be launching the Territory Treasures book at Burnet...
14/10/2026

The Territory's newest MLA - Yiwarr McGrath from Elcho Island - will be launching the Territory Treasures book at Burnett House on Friday. PastMaster Dr. Daryl Wesley of Flinders University will be Master of Ceremonies.

The presentation will be out on the lawns - signed books will be on sale as well as refreshments - please bring cash - we are hoping to get Tap to Pay but it means thinking inside the Square.

PastMaster IM gave a presentation on ‘Territory Treasures’ to a packed house at Shepherdson College, Elcho Island, yeste...
13/10/2026

PastMaster IM gave a presentation on ‘Territory Treasures’ to a packed house at Shepherdson College, Elcho Island, yesterday and signed copies of the book. Remember, if you’d like to join us for the launch in Darwin this Friday, send us a message.

Today’s puzzle is courtesy of Rob Huntington from Shepherdson College, Elcho Island, who took me to the homeland of Ngay...
12/10/2026

Today’s puzzle is courtesy of Rob Huntington from Shepherdson College, Elcho Island, who took me to the homeland of Ngayawili to inspect the remains of this 30+ metre fishing boat. Deposited upside down on the beach, the boat displays no immediate identifying marks. I’m guessing that it is Taiwanese or from Macao. What do you think?
PS: the kids are really loving it.

09/10/2026

An Arnhem Land clan leader who once sued the Reserve Bank of Australia after his art was used on the world's first polymer bank note has died within a week of his wife.

Make sure to RSVP for our book launch in Darwin on Arnhem Land’s African coins or buy your copy direct from the Historic...
07/10/2026

Make sure to RSVP for our book launch in Darwin on Arnhem Land’s African coins or buy your copy direct from the Historical Society of the Northern Territory.

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