Atomic Tests at Emu Field

In 1953 Britain was given empty land in South Australia to conduct atomic experiments.

Except the land wasn’t uninhabited. Called Emu Field, this flat claypan was in the middle of Aṉangu Aboriginal land.

Britain’s atomic bombs produced a greasy “black mist”, a cloud of radioactive particles that harmed the Anagu community. Britain has never claimed responsibility for the health effects of its tests.

Elizabeth Tynan is Associate Professor at JCU Graduate Research School spoketo 2SER about the history of Emu Field and what we can learn from it today.