Misadventures in Nature's Paradise

The book provides a pre-settlement historical account of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island in their Indian Ocean context. The project began as a search for clues to locations of two 18th century Dutch shipwrecks, and was expanded into a general account of the early island histories and associated mythological Indian Ocean islands and creatures.

Graeme Henderson (AM, CitWA) chairs Wreck Check, an Australian not-for-profit formed to research maritime cultural heritage. He has played a crucial role in developing maritime archaeology and maritime museums in Australia. He was the first Director of the Western Australian Maritime Museum, from 1992 to 2005, during which time he was also Project Director for developing the new Maritime Museum on Victoria Quay. In the 1990s, he extended activities internationally, establishing the ICOMOS International Committee on Underwater Cultural Heritage Inc., which played the lead role in developing the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage. He is the author of over 100 works in maritime history and archaeology including 10 books.

Andrew Viduka (FSA M.ICOMOS-ICUCH) is a maritime archaeologist and conservator employed by the Australian Government as the Assistant Director, Maritime and Commonwealth Heritage. In this role, Andy administers Australia's legislation which protects the underwater cultural heritage and coordinates the National Underwater Cultural Program. Andy co-led the drafting of the Underwater Cultural Heritage Act 2018 and leads Australia's consideration of ratification of the UNESCO 2001 Convention on the Protection of the Underwater Cultural Heritage.

Robert de Hoop (RCE) is a maritime and underwater archaeologist working with the International Programme for Maritime Heritage at the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands (RCE), part of the Ministry of Education Culture and Science. The projects within this programme deal with Dutch maritime heritage overseas and shared cultural heritage.Robert completed a bachelor in Archaeology with Honours at Saxion University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. He comple ed his masters at the Maritime Archaeology Programme at the University of Southern Denmark.

The book provides a pre-settlement historical account of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Christmas Island in their Indian Ocean context. The project began as a search for clues to locations of two 18th century Dutch shipwrecks, and was expanded into a general account of the early island histories and associated mythological Indian Ocean islands and creatures.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.