Thesis
The Pinjarra Massacre of Indigenous Australians by Colonialists – Finding and Excavating Western Australia’s Only Mass Grave
Masters by Coursework, Murdoch University
2023
Abstract
Marking the escalating conflicts between the British settlers of the Swan River Colony and the local Aboriginal people, the 1834 Pinjarra Massacre was a large-scale attack that resulted in the death of an unverified number of Bindjareb Noongar people (4-6,12). A death count of at least 15 Indigenous men by Captain James Stirling’s reckoning has been contradicted in alternative witness accounts, with subsequent reports indicating a death toll of as many as 80 men, women, and children (4-6,12). By excavating the grave, one may establish a more accurate number and representation of the victimology and bring solace to the victim’s families by offering them an opportunity to farewell the deceased in their traditional method. While a plethora of reports and reviews suggest that a mass grave was constructed in the aftermath of this event with some indications as to the location, an attempt to identify a region utilising modern technology is yet to be undertaken (5). This review will begin by tracing the history of the Aboriginal Australian people to garner an understanding of their traditions and spiritual connection to the land before reviewing the colonisation of Australia, paying particular attention to Western Australia and the Pinjarra Massacre, defining the known facts and unanswered questions. Modern technologies and standard approaches for grave location will be discussed and the requirements for an excavation will be considered.
Details
- Title
- The Pinjarra Massacre of Indigenous Australians by Colonialists – Finding and Excavating Western Australia’s Only Mass Grave
- Authors/Creators
- Georgia Budge
- Contributors
- Brendan Chapman (Supervisor) - Murdoch University, School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
- Awarding Institution
- Murdoch University; Masters by Coursework
- Identifiers
- 991005621370207891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences
- Resource Type
- Thesis
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