Archaeology of the Waiat mysteries on Woeydhul Island in Western Torres Strait

Secret societies, involving restricted and hierarchically organised initiation rituals, are conspicuous in the chronicles of many past present societies. These rarely leave a substantial written record yet archaeology can provide vivid insight into performances, for example relation to Roman ‘mystery cults’. Far less research, however, has focused on Australia Pacific Islands. This article presents archaeological evidence ceremonies practised Woeydhul Island Western Torres Strait, exploring rituals at cusp contemporary memory. By doing so, it provides detailed long-term history Strait Islander secret societies ritual activities dugong bone mounds, stone arrangements worked stingray spines.