An ‘autochthon’ model for the tectonic development of Timor is suggested, based on observations of Palaeozoic‐Mesozoic relationships from a broad area of central East Timor, including:a.(a) ‘allochthonous’ Permian rocks unconformable on metamorphic rocksb.(b) ‘allochthonous’ Permian units interbedded with ‘autochthonous’ Permian units, andc.(c) ‘autochthonous’ Triassic sediments stratigraphically overlying ‘allochthonous’ Permian rocks.