After more than 60 years, the remains of a Warlpiri ancestor have returned to Country

The remains were stolen from on Country after land development disturbed their resting place in a ceremonial burial tree.

In an emotional ceremony, hundreds gathered to welcome the remains of a Warlpiri ancestor back on to County.

It's a decades long mystery with theft and betrayal at its heart.

But Warlpiri people are celebrating its bittersweet conclusion, as the long-lost remains of an ancestor return to Country.

Hundreds gathered at Pikilyi (Vaughan Springs), almost 400 kilometres north-west of Alice Springs, to witness the reburial on Tuesday of remains which had spent more than 60 years stored off Country at the University of Adelaide.

They were discovered there in 2018 following an inventory audit by the South Australian Museum.

Warlpiri Elders described the community's shared joy at the emotional return of the remains.

“The Pikilyi ancestor repatriation held at Yuendumu and on Country this week was so important for the Warlpiri nation," they said in a statement.

"The Yuendumu community thank the South Australian Museum and all of the Yuendumu community organisations ... for their support of the events.”

Sitting on a shelf for 60 years

Warlpiri men in the 1930s,

The remains were disturbed from their ceremonial resting place on Warlpiri Country more than 60 years ago.

During the development of a fence-line for a new station in the mid-1960s, a bloodwood tree was knocked over, whereupon a full skeleton that had been secreted within was discovered.

Despite the presence of a large number of Warlpiri people still living in Pikilyi, none were alerted to the remains' discovery, and they were stolen and given to visiting academics.

Mistakenly identified as the remains of a 'Warlbiri Queen', the bones were taken to the University of Adelaide, where they sat on a department's storage shelves for decades.

After their rediscovery in 2018, an assessment by forensic anthropologist Dr Ellie Simpson found that the remains were likely those of an older man, standing five foot five inches tall, who was physically strong.

A contingent of Warlpiri people travelled to the University in 2021 to view the remains, ahead of their eventual return this week.

Warlpiri Repatriation Officer Jamie Jungararyi Hampton was among that group.

“It’s an honour to help my community on this important project and event," he said.

"I want to say thank you to my Elders for guiding me on this journey, and I’d like to thank the South Australian Museum for their support.”