Human occupation of the Kimberley coast of northwest Australia 50,000 years ago (original) (raw)
Related papers
Australian Archaeology, 2019
Recent archaeological research in Australia’s north-eastern Kimberley has luminescence dated a large red sedimentary feature, known as Minjiwarra, with artefacts in stratified contexts from the late Holocene to ∼50,000 years ago. This site is located on the Drysdale River, with preliminary excavations undertaken as part of an ARC Linkage Project. Deeply stratified sites in association with rockshelters are uncommon across the NE Kimberley and basal dates at open cultural deposits vary greatly. Most of them are mid-Holocene in age. However, Minjiwarra appears to cover the entire span of potential human occupation in this region, with associated lithic technology, reported on here.
Human occupation of northern Australia by 65,000 years ago
Kasih Norman, Ben Marwick, Jessica McNeil, Kate Connell, Tiina Manne, Elspeth (Ebbe) Hayes, Colin Pardoe, Christopher Clarkson, Andrew Fairbairn, Kelsey Lowe, S. Anna Florin, Richard L K Fullagar
The time of arrival of people in Australia is an unresolved question. It is relevant to debates about when modern humans first dispersed out of Africa and when their descendants incorporated genetic material from Neanderthals, Denisovans and possibly other hominins. Humans have also been implicated in the extinction of Australia’s megafauna. Here we report the results of new excavations conducted at Madjedbebe, a rock shelter in northern Australia. Artefacts in primary depositional context are concentrated in three dense bands, with the stratigraphic integrity of the deposit demonstrated by artefact refits and by optical dating and other analyses of the sediments. Human occupation began around 65,000 years ago, with a distinctive stone tool assemblage including grinding stones, ground ochres, reflective additives and ground-edge hatchet heads. This evidence sets a new minimum age for the arrival of humans in Australia, the dispersal of modern humans out of Africa, and the subsequent interactions of modern humans with Neanderthals and Denisovans.
Jacqueline M Matthews, Ben Marwick, Xavier Carah, Patrick Faulkner, Tiina Manne, Elspeth (Ebbe) Hayes, Christopher Clarkson, Kelsey Lowe, Lynley Wallis, S. Anna Florin, Richard L K Fullagar
Journal of Human Evolution 83 (2015):46-64.
Published ages of >50 ka for occupation at Madjedbebe (Malakunanja II) in Australia's north have kept the site prominent in discussions about the colonisation of Sahul. The site also contains one of the largest stone artefact assemblages in Sahul for this early period. However, the stone artefacts and other important archaeological components of the site have never been described in detail, leading to persistent doubts about its stratigraphic integrity. We report on our analysis of the stone artefacts and faunal and other materials recovered during the 1989 excavations, as well as the stratigraphy and depositional history recorded by the original excavators. We demonstrate that the technology and raw materials of the early assemblage are distinctive from those in the overlying layers. Silcrete and quartzite artefacts are common in the early assemblage, which also includes edge-ground axe fragments and ground haematite. The lower flaked stone assemblage is distinctive, comprising a mix of long convergent flakes, some radial flakes with faceted platforms, and many small thin silcrete flakes that we interpret as thinning flakes. Residue and use-wear analysis indicate occasional grinding of haematite and wood- working, as well as frequent abrading of platform edges on thinning flakes. We conclude that previous claims of extensive displacement of artefacts and post-depositional disturbance may have been over- stated. The stone artefacts and stratigraphic details support previous claims for human occupation 50-60 ka and show that human occupation during this time differed from later periods. We discuss the implications of these new data for understanding the first human colonisation of Sahul.
Quaternary Science Reviews, 2019
We present Bayesian modelling on a long sequence of radiocarbon ages from the archaeological site of Nawarla Gabarnmang, central Arnhem Land plateau, northern Australia. A horizon of wind-borne sediments containing flaked stone artefacts and charcoal commencing >45,610 cal BP (the young end of the modelled boundary age range, which extends beyond the limit of the calibration curve), with a median modelled age of 48,500 cal BP, signals the onset of aeolian mobilisation of fine sands and silts across the landscape, and re-deposition within the site at a time synchronous with the first evidence of people. This earliest cultural horizon (Stratigraphic Unit 4) contains 509 stone artefacts, and is marked by a contemporaneous sedimentary break, from underlying culturally sterile sediments consisting of disintegrating roof-fall and in situ sandstone and quartzite to overlying culturally-rich wind-blown sand. The new radiocarbon ages and wind-blown sediments together provide evidence for the commencement of noticeable landscape burning on the Arnhem Land plateau c. 48,500 cal BP, suggesting an intensification of landscape management practices at the summit of the Arnhem Land plateau some 10,000 e15,000 years after the lowest dense band of artefacts (Phase 2) at Madjedbebe on the floodplains 90 km to the north. These results have ramifications for the structure and timing of the spread of people across Australia, and the extinction of megafauna in Sahul.
2004
In this thesis I combine data from regional archaeological surveys and the excavation of eight stratified sites to examine aspects of continuity and change in the late Holocene archaeological record of the southern Curtis Coast, southeast Queensland, Australia. I focus on theoretical and methodological problems emerging out of studies in southeast Queensland, particularly the issues of chronology-building and assessment of site integrity. Results of surveys and excavations are presented. Excavations were conducted at the Seven Mile Creek Mound, Mort Creek Site Complex, Pancake Creek Site Complex, Ironbark Site Complex, Eurimbula Creek 1, Eurimbula Creek 2, Eurimbula Site 1 and Tom's Creek Site Complex. Differences in site structure, content and chronology are used to establish a framework to describe variability in the regional archaeological record through space and time. Radiocarbon dates and items of European material culture indicate that occupation of these sites spans from around 4,000 years ago into the post-contact period. Dates were also obtained from several eroding archaeological deposits which were not subject to excavation. In total, 66 radiocarbon dates are presented from 12 archaeological sites. Radiocarbon determinations are critically assessed to provide a reliable basis for calibrating radiocarbon dates into an absolute regional chronology. Local marine and estuarine reservoir effects are characterised through a study of known-age marine shell specimens and archaeological shell/charcoal paired samples. The object of the study was to assess the potential influence of localised variation in marine reservoir effect on accurately dating marine and estuarine shell from archaeological deposits in the area. Results indicate that the routinely-applied ΔR value of - 5 ± 35 for northeast Australia is wrong. The determined values suggest a minor revision to Reimer and Reimer's (2000) recommended value for near-shore open marine environments in northeast Australia from ΔR= +11 ± 5 to +12 ± 7, and specifically for central Queensland to ΔR= +10 ± 7. In contrast, data obtained from estuarine shell/charcoal pairs demonstrate a general lack of consistency, suggesting estuary-specific patterns of variation in terrestrial carbon input and exchange with the open ocean. Preliminary data indicate that in some estuaries, at some time periods, a ΔR value of more than -155 ± 55 may be appropriate. Radiocarbon determinations, stratigraphy and bivalve conjoin analyses are used to evaluate the integrity of the open shell midden deposits investigated for the project. Methods for identifying and interpreting bivalve conjoins in archaeological shell assemblages are developed and tested. Results indicate that contrary to the cautions of Lourandos (1996,1997), the open sites studied exhibit a high degree of vertical and horizontal integrity. Results suggest continuous restructuring of settlement-subsistence systems in the region throughout the late Holocene. A regional trajectory towards increased site occupation, intensity of site use, and localisation of resource use is identified. A three-phase cultural chronology is developed for the region which proposes initial occupation before 4,000 years ago and significant changes in resource use after 1,500 BP, including the widespread appearance of shellfishing and changes in stone raw material sources. Phase I (pre-4,000 BP-c.1,500 BP) saw ephemeral coastal occupation by groups which occasionally used coastal resources as part of a diffuse and highly-mobile settlement strategy covering a broad area. Land-using groups may have been primarily based around the predictable resources of major rivers such as the Boyne. Phase II (c.1,500 BP-c.AD 1850s) is characterised by intensive permanent and structured low mobility strategies throughout the coastal zone. This phase is defined by a localisation in the use of resources. Extremely large, low density archaeological sites are established throughout the region on the lower margins of major estuaries and smaller resources extraction sites are also established. Phase III (c.AD 1850s-c.AD 1920s) saw the emergence of post-European mobility systems. Despite disappearing from the European historical record for the area. Aboriginal people continued to use traditional camping places well into the period of European settlement. Results are discussed in the wider context of key themes in archaeological cultural chronologies proposed for southeast Queensland and adjacent regions which emphasise recent changes in settlement and subsistence strategies linked to intensifying patterns of regional land-use. Patterns identified on the southern Curtis Coast generally concur with other findings from southeast Queensland, suggesting major restructuring of coastal occupation strategies in the late Holocene and especially the last 1,000 years.
The archaeological deposit of cave site Wee Jasper 99 (WJ99), in the foothills of the Namadgi Ranges, spans an uninterrupted 12,000 years beginning in the terminal Pleistocene. Archaeological patterns for the terminal Pleistocene and early Holocene reflect the sparse, short-term occupation seen elsewhere in the region, with a simple lithic technol- ogy, and several bone implements reflecting cultural practices involving perishable organic materials. A mid-Holocene phase (7,000 to 4,500cal BP)—possibly reflecting a small but widespread wave of exploration into the high country—sees increased evidence for site use coinciding with more complex lithic technology, including abundant retouch and backed artefacts. A decrease in cave use follows, perhaps associated with a more general withdrawal of people from high elevations around 4,500cal BP. The evidence for this latter phase is a reduction in artefact discard and subtle technological changes. In the context of related archaeological records and a local environmental history, the findings contribute to our understanding of the Aboriginal history of the Australian high country and its margins. The unique chronostratigraphy, excellent preservation conditions and abundant unexcavated deposit, establish WJ99 as a regionally important site with high archaeological and palaeo- environmental research potential.
Early human occupation of Australia’s eastern seaboard
Scientific Reports, 2024
Secure archaeological evidence for human occupation on the eastern seaboard of Australia before ~ 25,000 years ago has proven elusive. This has prompted some researchers to argue that the coastal margins remained uninhabited prior to 25 ka. Here we show evidence for human occupation between 30 ± 6 and 49 ± 8 ka at Wallen Wallen Creek (WWC), and at Middle Canalpin Creek (MCA20) between 38 ± 8 and 41 ± 8 ka. Both sites are located on the western side of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), the second largest sand island in the world, isolated by rising sea levels in the early Holocene. The earliest occupation phase at both sites consists of charcoal and heavily retouched stone artefacts made from exotic raw materials. Heat-treatment of imported silcrete artefacts first appeared in sediment dated to~ 30,000 years ago, making these amongst Australia’s oldest dated heat-treated artefacts. An early human presence on Minjerribah is further suggested by palaeoenvironmental records of anthropogenic burning beginning by 45,000 years ago. These new chronologies from sites on a remnant portion of the continental margin confrm early human occupation along Sahul’s now drowned eastern continental shelf.
An extensive series of 44 radiocarbon (14 C) and 37 optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) ages have been obtained from the site of Riwi, south central Kimberley (NW Austra-lia). As one of the earliest known Pleistocene sites in Australia, with archaeologically sterile sediment beneath deposits containing occupation, the chronology of the site is important in renewed debates surrounding the colonization of Sahul. Charcoal is preserved throughout the sequence and within multiple discrete hearth features. Prior to 14 C dating, charcoal has been pretreated with both acid-base-acid (ABA) and acid base oxidation-stepped combustion (ABOx-SC) methods at multiple laboratories. Ages are consistent between laboratories and also between the two pretreatment methods, suggesting that contamination is easily removed from charcoal at Riwi and the Pleistocene ages are likely to be accurate. Whilst some charcoal samples recovered from outside hearth features are identified as outliers within a Bayesian model, all ages on charcoal within hearth features are consistent with stratigraphy. OSL dating has been undertaken using single quartz grains from the sandy matrix. The majority of samples show D e distributions that are well-bleached but that also include evidence for mixing as a result of post-depositional bioturbation of the sediment. The results of the two techniques are compared and evaluated within a Bayesian model. Consistency between the two methods is good, and we demonstrate human occupation at this site from 46.4–44.6 cal kBP (95.4% probability range). Importantly, the lowest archaeological horizon at Riwi is underlain by sterile sediments which have been dated by OSL making it possible to demonstrate the absence of human occupation for between 0.9–5.2 ka (68.2% probability range) prior to occupation.
Malarrak 1 is currently the northernmost excavated rockshelter on the Australian mainland, located in the Wellington Range in north western Arnhem Land. The site contains a rich late Holocene deposit, with extensive contact rock art, stone artefacts, shell, bone, contact materials, ancestral human remains, and other cultural material. Excavation of the Malarrak 1 rockshelter and analysis of its sediments revealed many impacts on site formation processes within the deposit. We attribute the disturbance to possible erosion or sediment deposition during periods of intense rainfall and also to the construction of timber structures within the site. This is supported by modern and historical observations and is the focus of this paper. The extent of the disturbance to Malarrak 1 provides a cautionary tale for other excavations in the region that may be affected by similar Indigenous site occupation, as these anthropogenic activities enhance the risk of further impacts arising from biological and geomorphological processes that can impinge on the stratigraphic integrity of the cultural deposits.
Following its initial occupation ca 40,000 years ago, Aboriginal people using Allen's Cave in South Australia's arid zone experienced two major climatic changes. From the onset of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) at ca 30,000 cal. BP, until its peak at ca 22,000-18,000 cal. BP, aridity in Australia reached its most intense phase during the human occupation of the site. Conversely, conditions around the Allen's Cave region during the early Holocene, 11,000-8,000 cal. BP, were the most favourable for human occupation. In this paper, we present the results of a technological and statistical re-analysis of previously excavated Allen's Cave stone artefact assemblages, focusing on the period ca 40,000-5,000 cal. BP, to examine whether people made adjustments to stone tool manufacture in response to these climatic fluctuations. Our results and interpretations are consistent with some of the conclusions of previous scholars, primarily that the site was used for infrequent visitation rather than long-term occupation, and that little change occurred in the production of stone artefacts (despite changing environmental conditions). We also concur that lithic evidence exists for trade/exchange and/or a change in foraging range or stone curation practices at the start of the early Holocene. However, we do not support all prior claims for significant cultural and demographic changes at this time and we argue that Allen's Cave was probably abandoned from ca 30,000 to 26,000 cal. BP. The ca 4,000 year hiatus, combined with probable increased visitation after the LGM, suggests that whilst stone tool technology remained largely consistent during the period of focus, Aboriginal people did alter their occupation patterns in response to environmental changes. On the basis of these new interpretations about the site's occupation history, we provide updated observations in order to contribute to desert occupation modelling.