10 
MEMOIRS OF THE QVEENSLAED MUSEUM. 
SOME EVIDENCES OF PAPUAN CULTURE 
ON CAPE YORK PENINSULA. 
AS ILLUSTRATED BY SPECIMENS IN THE QUEENSLAND 
MUSEUM COLLECTIONS. 
By R. Hamlyn-Harris, D.Sc., Etc. (Director). 
(Plate VI.) 
More writers than one have referred to presumed Papuan culture on Cape 
York Peninsula, and the list of objects illustrating it is now a formidable one. The 
Queensland aboriginal was never an inventive genius, and liis implements and 
weapons are remarkably constant, but that he is a born mimic and imitator is 
very apparent. Jlenee it is not to be wondered at tliat he at times, under the 
influences of foreign infiltration, discarded some of his native implements for 
those of other i>eoples, instances of which may be found in the substitution of 
the primitive finv coverings for the luxury of the bark blankeP and tappa cloth 
or the safer outrigger" for tlie original native -bark canoes. The point has been 
raised as to whether there was an infusion of lhi 2 )uan blood over this area,® but 
this idea does not meet with favour, especially amongst those acquainted with 
local conditions in the early days. Even as far back as 1802, when Captain 
Flinders landed in the Peninsula he found the natives anything but the fierce 
('annibals that the Dutch had led him to believe they were; of bow and arroAV 
not the least indication was observed at the Coen River ” [or elsewherel 
In spite of the fact that it is said that the boAV has been found in the 
extreme noidh, it is only to be regarded as an immigrant from New Guinea, no 
attempt having ever been made by the natives to manufacture sueh an article, 
rt is, howcATr, interesting to not(* that ^leston in a letter to me says that he 
found some small boys on the Pascoe River and at two or three other points of 
the sea-coast using small bows and arrows merely for amusement,^ the groAvn 
men never taking to this AA^apon. lie further says: The tribes at Cape York, 
^ Walter E. Roth. North Queensland Ethnography, Bulletin 15, paragraph 5(3, Records 
of the Australian Museum, 1910. 
“Ibid., Bulletin 14, Transpoi't and Trade. 
W. Thomas, Natives of Australia, 1906, pnge 16. 
■'Flinders, Voyage of Terra Australis in U.M.S. “ The Investigator, ’ ' London, 1814, 
vol. 2, page 146. 
" It is extremely interesting to note how soon tlie boys learn to use their Aveapons. Quite 
small youngsters AA'ill become adepts at throAving the spear, and their elders give them every 
encouragement. 
