Shipwreck Databases Western Australian Museum

BAT15831A - Human

Batavia

Skull. Estimated age 18 to 20 years. Sex uncertain. Teeth show some growth arrest lines. Large fracture in temporal region, possibly formed sometime after death, possibly as consequence of soil pressure.

Site Area Code Mid-West

Site Location Beacon Island—ZW of SW corner of Johnson’s hut, in sandy area between hut and path to south beach.

Number of Items 1

Material Human

Museum Reference

Registration Number 15831

ID 26983

Status Commonwealth

Map of shipwreck

Batavia

Under commandeur Francisco Pelsaert, and Ariaen Jacobsz skipper, newly built Batavia sailed from Texel 27 October 1628 for the Dutch East Indies with bullion, goods and silver. On 4 June 1629 the ship struck a reef near Beacon Island in the Houtman Abrolhos. Of the 322 aboard 40 drowned and the rest got ashore. In search of water and food Jacobsz, Pelsaert and others left site in a 30-foot (9....