Body Count Rises on 400-Year-Old 'Murder Island' Shipwreck
Dec. 06, 2017 - Archaeologists have discovered a new communal grave tied to an infamous and bloody 1629 mutiny. The Batavia shipwreck in the Abrolhos Islands, off the west coast of Australia, stranded 282 survivors. A mutiny erupted in the months to come and left 115 dead, many of whom were murdered. The grave discovered this month, however, included five individuals who likely died before the mutiny. Archaeologists suggest this to be the case because the bodies were buried respectfully. The bodies were also buried with artifacts that can give us more information on what happened in the tragic tale of Murder Island.
Transcript
Archaeologists have discovered a new communal grave tied to an infamous and bloody 1629 mutiny.
The Batavia shipwreck in the Abrolhos Islands, off the west coast of Australia, stranded 282 survivors.
A mutiny erupted in the months to come and left 115 dead, many of whom were murdered.
The grave discovered this month, however, included five individuals who likely died before the mutiny.
Archaeologists suggest this to be the case because the bodies were buried respectfully.
The bodies were also buried with artifacts that can give us more information on what happened in the tragic tale of Murder Island.
