Describe the characteristics of the Previous exploration of Australia in this artwork's Inscription controversy.
Critics have pointed out that although the inscription states that Cook "discovered this territory" in 1770, in fact, Cook's party landed at Botany Bay, several miles to the southwest, and never managed to find Sydney Harbour. Although Cook was the first to "claim the land on behalf of Great Britain", he was not the first modern navigator to "discover" Australia. Visits to Australia were recorded as early as 1606, and Portuguese cannons dating back to 1525 have been found on Carronade Island on the northwest coast.
Carronade Island Sydney Botany Bay Sydney Harbour