Ground-Penetrating Radar Identifies 12 Potential Indigenous Burial Sites on Rottnest Island

Ground-penetrating radar uncovers a dozen suspected burial sites on Rottnest Island following the discovery of Indigenous remains during bus stop construction.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 25, 2026, 6:40 AM EDT

Source: news.com.au

The Discovery and Immediate Response

The presence of human remains was first confirmed during routine excavation for a new bus stop facility. Forensic analysis of the unearthed bones has since verified that they are historical in nature and consistent with Indigenous ancestry. In response, the Rottnest Island Authority (RIA) suspended all construction activities to allow for a comprehensive anthropological survey.

The subsequent use of ground-penetrating radar has pinpointed a dozen distinct locations that exhibit characteristics of traditional burial sites. While authorities state that further physical verification is required to confirm these as graves, the proximity to the initial discovery has led experts to treat the entire zone as a highly sensitive cultural site. The area around Holy Trinity Church is now under strict management to prevent further disturbance.

Historical Context of Wadjemup and the Prison Era

For the Whadjuk Noongar people, Rottnest Island—known traditionally as Wadjemup—holds a somber place in history. While modern tourists visit the island for its pristine beaches and native quokka population, the location served as a brutal Aboriginal prison and forced labor camp between 1838 and 1931. During this century-long period, approximately 4,000 Aboriginal men and boys were incarcerated there, often in horrific conditions.

This discovery adds a tangible and painful layer to the island's history as a site of colonial dispossession. Many of those who died during their incarceration were buried in unmarked graves across the island. The current findings near the church underscore the reality that much of the island’s developed infrastructure may sit atop unrecorded resting places of Indigenous ancestors.