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Explore
Indian Ocean Gallery
Indian Ocean connections
Credit: WA Museum
For thousands of years, the Indian Ocean has linked cultures through the trade of goods and ideas.This gallery traces the paths of these early maritime travellers, giving visitors a chance to explore the roots of our modern multicultural community.
MAKE IT YOUR OWN
The story continues.
THERE’S ALWAYS MORE TO DISCOVER
Keep exploring.
First Nations encounters with others, from overseas
Maritime Melting Pot - Indian Ocean Cultures
WA Maritime Museum
Multicultural Maritime: Discovery Trail
WA Museum James Dexter
Dirk Hartog Introduction
Wonderful watercraft
Getting Around the Maritime World - Indian Ocean Watercraft
Spices- worth their weight in gold
The Jewel in the Crown - the Spice Trade
Living simply
Shipboard Life on board the Sama Biasa
Why is Sama Biasa in the WA Maritime Museum?
Indonesian Connections - Sama Biasa and Australia's Borders
Making a living from the sea - Sama Biasa
Indonesian Connections - Sama Biasa and Australia's Borders
Sea slug or 'beche de mer'?
A Revolting Slug? No, a Valuable Food
The most basic currency - the cowrie shell
Maritime Melting Pot - Indian Ocean Cultures
The boat people - risking all
Maritime Melting Pot - Indian Ocean Cultures
Slow to catch on? The arrival of steam in the Indian Ocean
Maritime Melting Pot - Indian Ocean Cultures
T’Weseltje: small ship in a wide ocean
The Europeans Arrive - the Portuguese and the Dutch
New arrivals in an old world
The Europeans Arrive - the Portuguese and the Dutch
The mariner's astrolabe - measuring the heavens
The Europeans Arrive - the Portuguese and the Dutch
Finding your way in an unknown world - the cross staff
The Europeans Arrive - the Portuguese and the Dutch
Finding your way in unknown waters- the kamal
The First Explorers- Arab Traders in the Indian Ocean
A bit of everything- Middle Eastern trade
The First Explorers- Arab Traders in the Indian Ocean
Ship model
T'Weseltje – Dutch Gallion
Navigation
Astrolabe
Middle Eastern Trade
Souk
Navigation
Kamal
Kimberley, 1921
Dugout Canoes
Navigation
Cross Staff
Trade
Cowrie Shells
Indonesian fishing boat (perahu)


















