Town Site Archaeological Surveys

Abstract

This chapter introduces the historical towns of the north-west but concentrates on the archaeological site of Cossack, the first port in the north-west and the birthplace of the north-west pearling industry. There is also a strong focus on the port of Broome, which took over from Cossack as the main port for the hard-hat diving phase of the industry. It introduces the archaeology of Cossack, the Broome Chinatown and Old Onslow through the results of archaeological survey and historical research on the town sites. Through these media, it examines town development and layout and the expression of the north-west social system frozen into the landscape of the towns. In particular, the chapter traces the development of Cossack and Broome defining bid rent and social relationships that shaped the two towns. Domination and resistance strategies by various social groups encapsulated within the layout and archaeology of the two towns are identified and explored. In particular, a 1880s phase of regional elite resistance to the domination of the British supply network is identified followed by the takeover of the staple industries of the region by outside interests, regulating the north-west population to a region of managers and primary producers.