Report on historical archaeological expedition to Middle and Boxer Islands, Recherche Archipelago, Western Australia

Author/s A. Paterson and C. Souter

Year of publication 2006

Report Number: 222

Introduction
Following the discovery of archaeological sites of nineteenth century sealers and whalers in the Recherche Archipelago this expedition aimed to record and excavate two sites on Boxer and Middle islands, with the material to be analysed by the UWA and WA Museum staff and UWA students. Immediate aims were: (1) new knowledge of these significant historical sites and past industries; and (2) comparison with similar sites in eastern Australia. This pilot study aimed to assist the development of the research design for an ARC Linkage application to explore the archaeological evidence for historical use of islands, coast and waterways on Western Australia’s southern coast.