An Introduction To LINGUISTIC ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE TORRES STRAIT AREA a description of the surface, underlying and deep structure phonology and morphology of the language of the western and central islands of Torres Strait, as well as an introduction to the linguistic prehistory of Torres Strait and the neighbouring parts of Papua and Australia. Thesis submitted by Rodney John Allwynn Mitchell BA (JCU), DipEd (QLD) January, 1993 for the research Degree of Master of Arts in Linguistics in the Department of Modern Languages, James Cook University of North Queensland, Townsville, Australia