In 1788, two ships, the Boussole and the Astrolabe, vanished in the South Pacific while on an expedition ordered by King Louis XVI. This mission was led by French explorer Jean-François de Galup, comte de La Pérouse and became one of the most notable maritime disasters in French history.
Over 200 years later, modern explorers utilized advanced archaeological techniques to recover nearly 5,000 artifacts from the wreck site during a series of expeditions conducted between 1996 and 2008. Many of these recovered items underwent transformations, merging with oceanic sediments, and representing a blend of nature and culture from different epochs.
In addition to the artifacts discovered at the site, other items from the ships and their voyages contribute additional insights into their historical context. When these objects are assembled, they narrate a story of human resilience and the capability to reclaim what is deemed lost. As art historian Kelly Presutti elaborates in her forthcoming article, “Foul Histories and Forgotten Objects: French Entanglement in the South Pacific,” featured in the September 2025 issue of The Art Bulletin, this collection also highlights an extractive tendency present in the narratives of imperial history.
The findings from these expeditions not only enrich our understanding of the 1788 expedition but also provoke a reflection on the broader implications of exploration and colonial endeavors in the South Pacific. The ongoing analysis of these artifacts promises to shed light on the complexities of cultural interactions and the historical entanglements that define this region.
For further information, readers can explore the detailed story available on the College of Arts and Sciences website.
