The Somerton Man Mystery

Timeline of Evolving Case Details (1948-1950)

A comprehensive timeline showing how details of Australia's most enduring mystery evolved through contemporary newspaper reports from the Trove archive. Click on any event to expand details.

Investigation Phases

Initial Discovery

Early Investigation

Tamam Shud Revelation

Major Breakthrough

Ongoing Mystery

December 1, 1948

The Discovery - "DEAD MAN FOUND LYING ON SOMERTON BEACH"

First newspaper report establishes the basic facts of the mysterious discovery.

December 2-8, 1948

Early Investigation Confusion

Multiple false leads and the emergence of key evidence patterns.

January-February 1949

Interstate Investigation Expansion

The case gains national attention as Victorian connections are explored.

June 10, 1949

THE "TAMAM SHUD" REVELATION

The case transforms with the discovery of Persian words meaning "the end."

June 14-22, 1949

Inquest and Expert Testimony

Official proceedings reveal the full complexity of the mystery.

June 14: Burial Proceedings

• Body buried at West Terrace Cemetery at 9:30 AM
• Egyptian-style embalming process used
• "Few see burial" - minimal attendance
• Body preserved for potential future identification

June 17: Physical Evidence Documentation

• Life-sized plaster cast made of head and shoulders
• Professional photography for identification
• Detailed physical measurements recorded

June 21: Professor Cleland's Expert Testimony

• "Death was almost certainly not natural"
• "In all probability some poison had been taken with suicidal intent"
• Unknown poison theory: "unusual, unlikely to be found"
• Suggests medical knowledge or laboratory access
• "Made undue trouble to hide his identity"

June 22: Inquest Conclusion

• Inquest adjourned indefinitely (sine die)
• "Evidence too inconclusive to warrant a finding"
• Cannot establish: identity, location of death, cause of death
• Case remains officially open

Mildura Connection Investigated

• Woman believes victim may be from Mildura
• Lead investigated but not confirmed

Sources: News (Adelaide), The Advertiser, The Argus, June 14-22, 1949

July 23, 1949

MAJOR BREAKTHROUGH: The Rubaiyat Book Found

The discovery that changed everything - a "million-to-one chance" comes true.

The Incredible Discovery:

• Adelaide businessman reads newspaper appeal
• Recalls finding a book in his car back seat in November 1948
• Car was parked in Jetty Road, Glenelg
• Book: "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam"
• Last page torn out - exactly where "Taman Shud" appears

The Coded Messages:

• Several telephone numbers written in pencil on back cover
• Series of capital letters - an indecipherable code
• Letters written in pencil, meaning unknown
• No immediate breakthrough in deciphering

Scientific Investigation Planned:

• Paper and print tests scheduled for following week
• Will determine if "Taman Shud" scrap came from this book
• Police describe as "million-to-one chance"
• Could provide vital clues to man's final movements

Timeline Implications:

• Book found in November 1948
• Body discovered December 1, 1948
• Glenelg location significant - near Somerton Beach
• Suggests premeditation and planning

Source: News (Adelaide), July 23, 1949, Page 1

July 24-30, 1949

Book Analysis and New Mysteries

The investigation reaches new depths of complexity.

July 24: Expert Analysis

• "Taman Shud (the end) may solve mystery"
• Scientific tests confirm paper match
• Book officially linked to the case
• Investigation focus shifts to coded messages

Cryptographic Challenge:

• Police unable to decipher letter code
• Telephone numbers traced without success
• Code suggests sophisticated planning
• Possible connection to espionage activities

July 30: Cemetery Mystery Emerges

• Fresh flowers regularly placed on grave
• Anonymous mourner visiting the cemetery
• Police intrigued by regular visits
• Suggests someone knew the victim's identity
• Watcher observed but never identified

Investigation Implications:

• Someone in Adelaide knew who he was
• Case possibly involves romantic connection
• Mystery deepens rather than resolves
• Multiple layers of secrecy revealed

Sources: Sunday Mail, News (Adelaide), Truth, July 24-30, 1949

June 23, 1950

Case Review: Two Years Later

The mystery persists despite extensive investigation.

Evolution of the Mystery

What We Learned Over Time:

Initial assumption of accidental death quickly dismissed
Systematic identity concealment became evident
Literary and cultural sophistication revealed through "Tamam Shud"
Possible medical/scientific knowledge suggested
Code and communication methods discovered
Evidence of personal connections in Adelaide
International espionage theories emerged

Investigative Innovations:

Extensive preservation and embalming for future identification
Life-sized plaster cast creation
Interstate police coordination
Advanced toxicology testing
Paper and printing analysis
Code-breaking attempts
Cemetery surveillance

The Case's Legacy in Criminal Investigation:

The Somerton Man case marked a turning point in Australian criminal investigation, demonstrating the limitations of traditional identification methods and introducing advanced forensic techniques. The case's evolution from a simple unidentified body to an international mystery involving codes, poisons, and literary clues revealed the complexity that would define modern cold case investigations. The newspaper coverage preserved in the Trove archive provides a unique real-time record of how investigative techniques evolved and how public interest shaped the ongoing search for answers.

Timeline compiled from Trove National Library of Australia newspaper archives • 30+ newspaper articles from multiple Australian publications • Covering the period December 1948 - June 1950

Sources include: News (Adelaide), The Advertiser, The Argus (Melbourne), West Australian, Kalgoorlie Miner, Border Watch, Truth, Sunday Mail, The Mail, and others