Geophysical and Archaeological Investigation of the Survivor‐Camp of the Antelope (1783) in the Palau Islands, Western Pacific

Abstract

Survivor‐camps were an unavoidable and particular category of terrestrial shore‐camp when European scientific, mercantile and imperial interests began to impinge significantly on the islands of the Pacific Ocean. In 1783 the packet Antelope was wrecked in the Palau Islands and the account of the ‘new’ archipelago, first published in 1788, was, after Cook's voyages, the most popular Pacific text in the late‐18th century. The results of archaeological and geophysical research at the camp reported here contribute to a nuanced account of early culture contact and of survivor‐camp behaviour, demonstrating the significance of shore‐camp remains for understanding maritime societies.

© 2010 The Authors

Key words:

• maritime expansion
• survivor‐camp
• culture contact
• Pacific

Acknowledgements

We sincerely acknowledge the support and assistance given by the late Rita Olsudong (Head of Archaeology, Division of Cultural Affairs) and Vicky Kanai (Director of the Bureau of Arts and Culture). We also thank the Governor of Koror, the Honourable John Gibbons, John P. Rutledge (lawyer), and the High Chief (Ibedul) of Koror, Yutaka Gibbons, for allowing the work on Ulong Island. Charles Clark (independent researcher, Dunedin) is thanked for examining the records of the Antelope in the British Library. We also thank Martin Gibbs (Sydney University) for his useful comments on a draft version of the paper.