Torres Strait Islanders

Torres Strait Islanders appears on the timeline as a people or culture of Australia (Oceania) from c. 500 BCE to the present, a span of 2,524 years. Its people spoke Papuan languages (Trans-New Guinea and other Papuan families).

Gardening and seafaring people of the islands between Cape York and New Guinea, linked by trade to both. Eddie Mabo, from Mer, won the 1992 High Court case that overturned the doctrine of terra nullius.

See Torres Strait Islanders on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

c. 500 BCE to the present

Duration

2,524 years

Type

People or culture

Region

Australia, Oceania

Language family

Papuan

Events in Oceania during its time

• 1000 Polynesians settle East Polynesia
• 1180 Building of Nan Madol
• 1280 Polynesians reach New Zealand
• 1606 Duyfken lands in Australia
• 1642 Tasman reaches New Zealand
• 1778 Cook reaches Hawaii
• 1788 First Fleet lands at Sydney Cove
• 1840 Treaty of Waitangi

Neighbours in Oceania

• Commonwealth of Australia 1901 CE to the present
• Tu'i Tonga Empire c. 950 to 1865 CE
• Saudeleur dynasty c. 1100 to 1628 CE
• New Zealand 1907 CE to the present
• Colony of New South Wales 1788 to 1901 CE
• Kingdom of Hawaii 1795 to 1893 CE
• Colony of New Zealand 1841 to 1907 CE
• Papua New Guinea 1975 CE to the present
• German New Guinea 1884 to 1914 CE
• Spanish Marianas 1668 to 1898 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
• Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
• Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE, North and West Africa
• Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE, Europe
• Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE, North and West Africa
• Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
• Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty) 1270 to 1974 CE, North and West Africa
• Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America

Questions