The remains of an Aboriginal stockman kept in a museum for 60 years have been handed to his family, who have begun a marathon journey to rebury him on Country.
Thomas Cowell was droving cattle in South Australia's Far North when he was found dead of a suspected heart attack at Kopperamanna Bore in March 1959, aged about 65.
Police were called and buried the Lower Southern Arrernte man at a nearby dam but in 1966, his grave site was disturbed by flooding and police returned to collect his remains.
Officers couldn't locate any family and sent the remains to the South Australian Museum.
Documents indicated Mr Cowell was a worker at Mt Dare Station.
Elders recently helped identify extended family who were notified and requested Mr Cowell be returned to Country for burial within the Witjira National Park near Mt Dare.
