Michelle C. Langley | Griffith University (original) (raw)

Papers by Michelle C. Langley

Antiquity, 2023

Although first identified 120 years ago, knowledge of the Toalean technoculture of Middle Holocen... more Although first identified 120 years ago, knowledge of the Toalean technoculture of Middle Holocene Sulawesi, Indonesia, remains limited. Previous research has emphasised the exploitation of largely terrestrial resources by hunter-gatherers on the island. The recent recovery of two modified tiger shark teeth from the Maros-Pangkep karsts of South Sulawesi, however, offers new insights. The authors combine use-wear and residue analyses with ethnographic and experimental data to indicate the use of these artefacts as hafted blades within conflict and ritual contexts, revealing hitherto undocumented technological and social practices among Toalean hunter-gatherers. The results suggest these artefacts constitute some of the earliest archaeological evidence for the use of shark teeth in composite weapons.

Antiquity, 2023

One defining characteristic of Homo sapiens is the production and use of personal ornamentation. ... more One defining characteristic of Homo sapiens is the production and use of personal ornamentation. Evidence from Africa and western Eurasia has dominated discussion, but a growing number of finds directs attention towards Island Southeast Asia. In this article, the authors report on an assemblage of Nautilus shell beads from the Indonesian cave site of Makpan, Alor Island. The highly standardised forms, mostly with two perforations, and evidence of use wear, indicate that these beads were utilised as appliqués. Dating to the terminal Pleistocene, these beads appear to form part of a wider tradition also attested on Timor and Kisar, suggesting an early inter-island network across southern Wallacea.

Australian Archaeology, 2021

Almost 60 years ago, the small cave of Durras North was excavated to learn more about the Walbung... more Almost 60 years ago, the small cave of Durras North was excavated to learn more about the Walbunga Yuin People who have lived along this part of the New South Wales coast for thousands of years. From a 2m 2m pit, an extensive shell midden recording some 500 years of site use was uncovered. Amongst the many kilograms of marine shell were a small number of stone and shell artefacts and almost 500 tools made primarily on short tailed shearwater bone. Such large collections of osseous technology are rare in the Australian archaeological record and consequently this assemblage provides a unique opportunity
to better understand the use of bone on this continent. We revisited this remarkable bone tool assemblage and discovered that the fishing-spear tips indicate several distinctive approaches in their manufacture and style – including some ingeniously utilising the natural structure of the bird bone to create tangs. In addition, we also identified tools used in working
organic fibres or leathers, as well as a rare interpersonal weapon. In total, the Durras North osseous assemblage not only provides unprecedented detail on the construction of the multipronged fishing spears which were so common a sight in southeast Australia on European arrival, but also insights into more ephemeral cultural manufacturing and use practices.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2021

Australian lithic assemblages contain a great number of retouched tools. Despite this fact, howev... more Australian lithic assemblages contain a great number of retouched tools. Despite this fact, however, material evidence for, and studies, on the retouching tools utilised to create these technologies are limited, especially regarding their use in percussion retouch. Indirect evidence found in ethnographic literature suggests that wooden items – specifically boomerangs – were frequently utilised as retouchers. In this study, a sample of museum-curated boomerangs (n =100) was analysed using a traceological approach developed for the study of bone retouchers in European contexts in order to determine if characteristic – retouched induced - traces were present. Retouch-induced marks were identified on 26% of the boomerangs examined and were comparable to those traces observed on the surfaces of ancient European bone retouchers. Our findings constitute the first traceological identification of hardwood boomerangs being used as retouchers in various Aboriginal Australian contexts and emphasise the need for a systematic study of this specific technological activity in this region.

Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology, 2021

While fishhook technology is currently known to date back to ca. 22,000 cal. BP, almost all Pleis... more While fishhook technology is currently known to date back to ca. 22,000 cal. BP, almost all Pleistocene-aged assemblages consist of less than 10 artifacts, restricting the ability of archaeologists to reconstruct the technology. Excavations at Makpan Cave on Alor Island (Indonesia), however, has recovered an extensive assemblage of marine shell material culture, including an unprecedented number of fishhook artifacts. Here we describe 214 jabbing and rotating fishhooks made from marine gastropods, along with several possible lures, coral tools associated with their construction, and coral sinkers. Recovery of debitage as well as fishhooks in all stages of manufacture, from blanks through to fully finished examples, allow for a complete chaîne opératoire to be constructed for both main forms (jabbing and rotating) of shell fishhooks. The assemblage indicates a wide-ranging approach to marine resource extraction at Makpan over the past 15,000 years with fishhooks ranging between around 1 cm to over 5 cm long all occurring during the same period.

International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2021

Here, we describe eight bone artifacts recovered from Pleistocene and Holocene contexts at Riwi, ... more Here, we describe eight bone artifacts recovered from Pleistocene and Holocene contexts at Riwi, a cave site located in Mimbi country of the south‐central Kimberley. These artifacts reflect a range of activities occurring at the site—including the manufacture of plant‐fiber items, the processing of spinifex resin, and fish or bird hunting. As the oldest four artifacts were found within the Pleistocene deposit and therefore date to older than 35,000 cal. BP, these tools represent some of the most ancient bone technologies thus far identified in northern Australia. Such rare finds are helping to rewrite stories surrounding the innovation and use of osseous technologies on the Australian continent.

Evolutionary Human Sciences, 2021

Cultural evolutionary theory conceptualises culture as an information-transmission system whose d... more Cultural evolutionary theory conceptualises culture as an information-transmission system whose dynamics take on evolutionary properties. Within this framework, however, innovation has been likened to random
mutations, reducing its occurrence to chance or fortuitous transmission error. In introducing the special collection on children and innovation, we here place object play and play objects – especially functional miniatures – from carefully chosen archaeological contexts in a niche construction perspective. Given that play, including object play, is ubiquitous in human societies, we suggest that plaything construction, provisioning and use have, over evolutionary timescales, paid substantial selective dividends
via ontogenetic niche modification. Combining findings from cognitive science, ethology and ethnography with insights into hominin early developmental life-history, we show how play objects and object
play probably had decisive roles in the emergence of innovative capabilities. Importantly, we argue that closer attention to play objects can go some way towards addressing changes in innovation rates that occurred throughout human biocultural evolution and why innovations are observable within certain technological domains but not others.

Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 2021

Stories are important to all modern peoples, and this behaviour was no doubt also the case during... more Stories are important to all modern peoples, and this behaviour was no doubt also the case during the deep past. Consequently, it is important that archaeologists understand that artefacts made and discarded thousands of years ago were woven with stories by the peoples who produced them. In some regions of the world, these stories remain accessible by collaborating with the Traditional Owners of the lands from which they were recovered, while in others such an approach is impossible. Nevertheless, researchers need to remember that items carried meaning usually invisible to those outside communities— a principle often taught and cited, but possibly not fully appreciated. Here we tell the Yuin (coastal New South Wales, Australia) story of Gymea and her connection to fishing technologies. This story is told in order to demonstrate the depth of information that is not accessible to archaeologists if Indigenous collaborators are not sought out or available.

Archaeology in Oceania, 2021

There is a distinct lack of information regarding interactions between thylacine (Thylacinus cyno... more There is a distinct lack of information regarding interactions between thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus) and Aboriginal Australians. Their depiction in Australian rock art is not unusual, yet only one example of an artefact made from thylacine remains has been recovered from the archaeological record. This absence of thylacine-based Indigenous material culture is conspicuous, especially since the raw materials such a large mammal provides would be useful and thus their depiction in art but absence from “things” appears significant. To investigate whether substantial opportunity existed for the exploitation of thylacines for the purpose of material culture production, and thus that sampling or cultural factors must instead be at play for their absence from the record, the location of known palaeontological, archaeological and rock art sites related to thylacines were mapped in time and space. Dated contexts are compared to create an overall picture of the overlap between thylacine habitat and human territories. We found that there was a significant period where interaction between this enigmatic animal and First Australians occurred, and, therefore, a lack of contact is not the reason for the near total absence of thylacine bones, teeth and other materials being missing from Indigenous material culture.

Australian Archaeology, 2021

This article presents the analysis and preliminary contextualisation of a bone point located duri... more This article presents the analysis and preliminary contextualisation of a bone point located during the Lower Murray Archaeological Project excavations in South Australia in 2008. The artefact was recovered from a midden and burial site, Murrawong (Glen Lossie), and was situated in a layer dating to 5303–3875 cal BP. The artefact was the only bone point recovered during the project and is interpreted as an implement likely to have been used for piercing soft materials or possibly as a projectile point. Its chronology and morphology are generally consistent with previous finds in this region. The analysis presented here contributes to our understanding of bone technology in the Lower Murray River Gorge, highlighting areas where more research is required.

Evolutionary Human Sciences, 2020

Mobile containers are a keystone human innovation. Ethnographic data indicate that all human grou... more Mobile containers are a keystone human innovation. Ethnographic data indicate that all human groups use containers such as bags, quivers and baskets, ensuring that individuals have important resources at the ready and are prepared for opportunities and threats before they materialize. Although there is speculation surrounding the invention of carrying devices, the current hard archaeological evidence only reaches back some 100,000 years. The dearth of ancient evidence may reflect not only taphonomic processes , but also a lack of attention to these devices. To begin investigating the origins of carrying devices we focus on exploring the basic cognitive processes involved in mobile container use and report an initial study on young children's understanding and deployment of such devices. We gave 3-to 7-year-old children (N = 106) the opportunity to spontaneously identify and use a basket to increase their own carrying capacity and thereby obtain more resources in the future. Performance improved linearly with age, as did the likelihood of recognizing that adults use mobile carrying devices to increase carrying capacity. We argue that the evolutionary and developmental origins of mobile containers reflect foundational cognitive processes that enable humans to think about their own limits and compensate for them.

Evolutionary Anthropology, 2020

Mobile carrying devices-slings, bags, boxes, containers, etc.-are a ubiquitous tool form among re... more Mobile carrying devices-slings, bags, boxes, containers, etc.-are a ubiquitous tool form among recent human communities. So ingrained are they to our present life-ways that the fundamental relationship between mobile containers and foresight is easily overlooked, resulting in their significance in the study of human cognitive development being largely unrecognized. Exactly when this game-changing innovation appeared and became an essential component of the human toolkit is currently unknown. Taphonomic processes are obviously a significant factor in this situation; however, we argue that these devices have also not received the attention that they deserve from human evolution researchers. Here we discuss what the current archeological evidence is for Pleistocene-aged mobile containers and outline the various lines of evidence that they provide for the origins and development of human cognitive and cultural behavior.

Evolutionary Human Sciences, 2020

Identifying the residues of children's activities in deep time contexts is essential if we are to... more Identifying the residues of children's activities in deep time contexts is essential if we are to build a comprehensive understanding of human cognitive and cultural development. Despite the importance of such data to human evolution studies, however, archaeologists have only recently begun to look for prehistoric children's material culture, and the identification of children's spaces is completely absent for deep time contexts. This paper draws together sociological and historical data regarding the universal need of Homo sapiens children for 'secret' places-places away from parental control. These spaces are important for the behavioural development of children and are universal in modern contexts. This paper demonstrates that these features can be identified in prehistoric archaeological records-and as such-researchers will have new datasets with which to interrogate the role of children in the development of their respective societies.

Philosophical Transactions B, 2020

One contribution of 17 to a theme issue 'Ritual renaissance: new insights into the most human of ... more One contribution of 17 to a theme issue 'Ritual renaissance: new insights into the most human of behaviours'. There is a large, if disparate, body of archaeological literature discussing specific instantiations of symbolic material culture and the possibility of ritual practices in Neanderthal populations. Despite this attention, however, no single synthesis exists that draws upon cognitive, psychological and cultural evolutionary theories of ritual. Here, we review the evidence for ritual-practice among now-extinct Homo neanderthalensis, as well as the necessary cognitive preconditions for such behaviour, in order to explore the evolution of ritual in Homo sapiens. We suggest that the currently available archaeological evidence indicates that Neanderthals may have used 'rituali-zation' to increase the successful transmission of technical knowledge across generations-providing an explanation for the technological stability of the Middle Palaeolithic and attesting to a survival strategy differing from near-contemporary H. sapiens. This article is part of the theme issue 'Ritual renaissance: new insights into the most human of behaviours'.

Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 2020

Recent excavations at Leang Bulu Bettue, a limestone cave on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, h... more Recent excavations at Leang Bulu Bettue, a limestone cave on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, have yielded a collection of flaked chert and limestone artefacts with cortical surfaces that had been deliberately incised prior to or after the knapping process. The markings engraved on these artefacts, which were recovered from deposits ranging in age between approximately 30-14 thousand years ago (30-14 ka), comprise cross-hatched patterns and other non-figurative imagery. This behaviour is of interest because of the almost total absence of portable art in the Pleistocene record of Island Southeast Asia, and the long-standing idea that the early modern human lithic technology of this region was fundamentally simple and remained so over tens of millennia. Here, we take stock of these incised stone artefacts from methodological and theoretical perspectives. Our findings suggest that unless one is specifically examining cortex on stone artefacts for these fine incisions, they are easily overlooked, and hence, we focus on how to improve detection of these faint engravings. We also consider why the Leang Bulu Bettue inhabitants engraved stone tool cortex, a practice we regard as an enigmatic form of portable lithic art and an apparent example of the creative process being as important as the end product-if not more so. We conclude that otherwise unremarkable lithic assemblages in Island Southeast Asia and beyond may potentially harbour hidden evidence for symbolic content in the form of often barely perceptible markings on remnant cortical surfaces.

Science Advances, 2020

Archaeologists contend that it was our aptitude for symbolic, technological, and social behaviors... more Archaeologists contend that it was our aptitude for symbolic, technological, and social behaviors that was central to Homo sapiens rapidly expanding across the majority of Earth's continents during the Late Pleistocene. This expansion included movement into extreme environments and appears to have resulted in the displacement of numerous archaic human populations across the Old World. Tropical rainforests are thought to have been particularly challenging and, until recently, impenetrable by early H. sapiens. Here, we describe evidence for bow-and-arrow hunting toolkits alongside a complex symbolic repertoire from 48,000 years before present at the Sri Lankan site of Fa-Hien Lena-the earliest bow-and-arrow technology outside of Africa. As one of the oldest H. sapiens rainforest sites outside of Africa, this exceptional assemblage provides the first detailed insights into how our species met the extreme adaptive challenges that were encountered in Asia during global expansion.

Australian Archaeology, 2020

Little is known about cultural change on the inlets of the northern subcoastal plains of the Alli... more Little is known about cultural change on the inlets of the northern subcoastal plains of the Alligator Rivers region during the transition period between sea-level highstand c.8,000 BP and the establishment of freshwater wetlands (c.2,000 BP to present). The research presented here begins to fill this gap by illustrating differences in Indigenous land-use at two sites only a few kilometres apart and both dating to c.1,000 years ago. Located on the lower reaches of the South Alligator River within what is now Kakadu National Park, the earth mound Myaranji 1 and the shell midden Djindibi 1 provide a snapshot of settlement and subsistence strategies practiced on the floodplains in the late Holocene. This paper presents the analyses of the cultural materials recovered from these two open sites, including those of invertebrate and vertebrate faunal remains, shell and stone artefacts, and pigment on artefacts. Interpretation of the data suggests that occupation was relatively short-lived. Differential representation of food resources indicates that each site was occupied in different seasons. Both local manufacture and regional connectivity are suggested by ochre use and stone artefact working. Evidence from other regional sites implies a subsequent focus for settlement to the south and east.

Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 2020

As the earliest image of a human being and the oldest piece of figurative art, the female figurin... more As the earliest image of a human being and the oldest piece of figurative art, the female figurine of Hohle Fels remains a significant discovery for understanding the development of symbolic behaviour in Homo sapiens. Discovered in southwestern Germany in 2008, this mammoth-ivory sculpture was found in several fragments and has always been assumed to be complete, never owning a head. In place of a head, there is instead a small loop that would allow her to be threaded, possibly to be worn as a
pendant. Several hypotheses have been put forward as to her original use context, ranging from representing a fertility goddess to a pornographic figure. Yet none of these theses have ever suggested that she once had a head. Here we explore whether the female figurine of Hohle Fels was designed as a two-part piece, with the head made of perishable material culture, possibly woven plant or animal fibres; or that the artefact is a broken and reworked figurine with the head simply never found. By exploring the possibility that this figurine did originally have a second part—a head—we investigate issues surrounding the role of women and children in the Swabian Aurignacian.

Archaeology in Oceania, 2020

Despite at least 20,000 years of coexistence-and the ubiquity of bone technology across the Austr... more Despite at least 20,000 years of coexistence-and the ubiquity of bone technology across the Australian continent-direct evidence for the use of megafaunal materials (skin, bone, teeth, etc.) remains as elusive as evidence for these creatures having been hunted. Amongst the slim evidence for human-megafauna interaction currently available, one of the most often cited cases is the "engraved" incisor from the giant wombat-like Diprotodon optatum recovered from Spring Creek located in Eastern Maar country in southeastern Australia. Despite comments in the literature that the marks observed on this tooth are unlikely to have been made by lithic tools (as originally proposed), this item has never been re-analysed in order to resolve the question: Which actor made these marks? Here, the results of a new analysis of this specimen are presented. Through microscopic examination of each mark alongside zooarchaeological and ecological data, it is demonstrated that the incisions were indeed not made by human hands, but instead by a small (2-5 kg) mammal, most likely a scavenging spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus).

RÉSUMÉ Malgré au moins 20 000 ans de coexistence-et l'omnipresence de la technologie des os sur le continent Australien-les preuves directes de l'utilisation de matériaux megafauna (peau, os, dents, etc.) reste comme preuve insaisissables qu'ils ontété tués par des humains. L'un des cas les plus souvent cités est l'incisive <<gravée>> du Diprotodon optatum géant ressemblantà un wombat, récupérée dans le Spring Creek situé dans la partie orientale du territoire du peuple Maar, dans le sud-est de l'Australie. Malgré les commentaires dans la littérature selon lesquels il est peu probably que les traces observées sur cette dent aientété faites avec des outils lithiques (tels que proposésà l'origine), cet element n'a jamaisété reanalysé afin de résoudre la question: quel acteur a fabriqué ces traces? Ici, les résultats d'une nouvelle analyse de ce specimen sont présentés. L'examen microscopique de chaque marque, associe a des données zooarchéologiques etécologiques, montre que les incisions n'ont pasété faites de manière humaine, mais par un petit mammifère (2à 5 kg), très probablement un quoll a queue tachetée (Dasyurus maculatus).

Wild Things 2: Further Advances in Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Research, 2019

Hunting weaponry are perfect for use in social signalling as these artefacts are highly visible t... more Hunting weaponry are perfect for use in social signalling as these artefacts are highly visible to persons both intimately familiar with the individual carrying the implement, as well as those encountered on the landscape during the course of subsistence or social activities. Magdalenian antler projectile points were no exception, being ubiquitous across the Magdalenian territory, carefully crafted, and frequently, beautifully decorated. These last two aspects has understandably drawn the attention of researchers over the past 150 years, and resulted in their use to identify interaction between spatially distance sites (for example). This chapter uses archaeological and ethnographic data to explore whether the iconic Magdalenian bilaterally barbed point, along with the ubiquitous bevel based point performed a functional duality, being both: (1) a subsistant; and (2) a social tool. It will be argued that while regional communities are reflected in the form of the bevel edge, a wider Magdalenian identity may be contained within the bilaterally barbed points.

Antiquity, 2023

Australian Archaeology, 2021

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2021

Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology, 2021

International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2021

Evolutionary Human Sciences, 2021

Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 2021

Archaeology in Oceania, 2021

Australian Archaeology, 2021

Evolutionary Human Sciences, 2020

Evolutionary Anthropology, 2020

Evolutionary Human Sciences, 2020

Philosophical Transactions B, 2020

Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 2020

Science Advances, 2020

Australian Archaeology, 2020

Cambridge Archaeological Journal, 2020

Archaeology in Oceania, 2020

Wild Things 2: Further Advances in Palaeolithic and Mesolithic Research, 2019

"This volume explores the rich world of portable art in the Asia-Pacific, from the earliest examp... more "This volume explores the rich world of portable art in the Asia-Pacific, from the earliest examples of beads and other ornaments made by Pleistocene hunter-gatherers in Australia and Southeast Asia to the staggering diversity of small carved objects and related artworks from the recent past and ethnographic present of Oceania. The book provides an important compilation of the many discoveries of portable art made at archaeological sites across this vast region. It also presents a stimulating discussion of what portable art is and what it means from a uniquely Australasian perspective, as well as from the viewpoint of those interested in the origin of art and the evolutionary history of our species."-Adam Brumm, Griffith University, Australia Readers undertaking tertiary archaeology courses interested in the art of the Asia-Pacific region or human behavioural evolution, along with anyone who is fascinated by the development of our modern ability to decorate ourselves and our world, should find this book a good addition to their library. 20% Discount Available-enter the code FLR40 at checkout* Hb: 978-1-138-23776-6 | $193.60 * Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer or discount and only applies to books purchased directly via our website. To order a review copy, please complete the form at:

This volume presents the current state of knowledge on the osseous projectile weaponry that was p... more This volume presents the current state of knowledge on the osseous projectile weaponry that was produced by Pleistocene cultures across the globe. Through cross-cultural and temporal comparison of manufacturing methods, design, use methods, and associated technology, chapters in this volume identify and discuss differences and similarities between these Pleistocene cultures. The central research questions addressed in this volume include: (a) how did osseous weaponry technology develop and change through time and can these changes be tied to environmental and/or social influences?; (b) how did different Pleistocene cultures design and adapt their osseous weaponry technology to their environment as well as changes in that environment?; and (c) can we identify cultural interaction between neighboring groups through the analysis of osseous weapons technology — and if so — can we use these items to track the movement of peoples and/or ideas across the landscape? Through addressing these three central research questions, this volume creates an integrated understanding of osseous technology during a vital period in Modern Human cultural development which will be useful for students and advanced researchers alike.

Street, M. & Langley, M. C.: "Surf 'n' Turf”: Evidence from the German Rhineland for long range m... more Street, M. & Langley, M. C.: "Surf 'n' Turf”: Evidence from the German Rhineland for long range movement of Magdalenian individuals between inland and coastal environments. Proceedings of the European Society for the Study of Human Evolution (PESHE) 2, 221. 3rd Annual Meeting, 19.-21. September 2013, Vienna/Austria. ESHE.

Australian Archaeological Association Annual Conference

What did kids play with 20,000 years ago? New research suggests that figurines long thought to ha... more What did kids play with 20,000 years ago? New research suggests that figurines long thought to have been ritual icons may actually be children’s toys.

Hunting weaponry are perfect for use in social signalling as these artefacts are highly visible t... more Hunting weaponry are perfect for use in social signalling as these artefacts are highly visible to persons both intimately familiar with the individual carrying the implement, as well as those encountered on the landscape during the course of subsistence or social activities. Magdalenian antler projectile points were no exception, being ubiquitous across the Magdalenian territory, carefully crafted, and frequently, beautifully decorated. These last two aspects has understandably drawn the attention of researchers over the past 150 years, and resulted in their use to identify interaction between spatially distance sites (for example). This chapter uses archaeological and ethnographic data to explore whether the iconic Magdalenian bilaterally barbed point, along with the ubiquitous bevel based point performed a functional duality, being both: (1) a subsistent; and (2) a social tool. It will be argued that while regional communities are reflected in the form of the bevel edge, a wider Magdalenian identity may be contained within the bilaterally barbed points.