Fission, fusion and syncretism

Abstract

A revised model of Tangkic linguistic and cultural history is developed based on a reanalysis of relationships between six Tangkic languages in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria and drawing on recent archaeological and environmental studies. Bayesian phylogenetic analysis of Tangkic basic vocabulary was employed to infer the topology of the Tangkic family tree and define structural branching events. Contrary to previous models suggesting progressive colonisation and fissioning from mainland sources, the data support hypotheses that the modern configuration of Tangkic owes its form to pulses of outward movement from Mornington Island followed by subsequent linguistic divergence in both grammar and lexicon of the varieties. We also speculate that an extreme environmental event (c.800-400 BP) may have flooded low-lying coastal areas resulting in abandonment of some areas, a relatively short co-residence involving cultural and linguistic syncretism between neighbouring groups and then recolonization.

Short-term late Holocene dry season occupation and sandy-mud flat focused foraging at Murdumurdu, Bentinck Island, Gulf of Carpentaria

“…Other sites may have proven more viable or closer to important resources at particular times, including mangrove species that became increasingly important in the last 200-300 years (Peck 2016;Rosendahl et al 2014a), encouraging the use of other areas. The occupation of Murdumurdu is part of a widespread pattern of increase in rates of site establishment from 700 years ago, which further accelerates in the last 300 years (Memmott et al 2016). The short duration and relatively low faunal diversity recorded at Murdumurdu is consistent with short-term use of the area by foraging parties, described by Meehan (1982) as short-term 'dinnertime' camps.…”

“…A combination of sea-level fall and progradation allowed intertidal and subtidal zones to expand, encouraging the development of littoral resources (Memmott et al 2016;Moss et al 2015). These changes also impacted Marralda Swamp, which became a freshwater wetland c.400 cal BP after a long phase of brackish mangrove conditions (Mackenzie 2016;Mackenzie et al 2017;Moss et al 2015).…”

“…These studies demonstrate that while there is evidence for Aboriginal occupation of the South Wellesley islands by around 3500 years ago, a continuous occupation signal does not occur before c.2000 years ago and by 1500 years ago a range of sites are in use (Memmott et al 2016;Ulm et al 2010). A broadly similar occupation history is documented for the larger Mornington Island in the North Wellesley Islands, albeit with a more limited sample size (Rosendahl et al 2014a).…”

“…Archaeological investigations at Murdumurdu were undertaken as part of a wide-ranging archaeological and palaeoenvironmental study of the South Wellesley Archipelago (Memmott et al 2016;Ulm et al 2010). These studies demonstrate that while there is evidence for Aboriginal occupation of the South Wellesley islands by around 3500 years ago, a continuous occupation signal does not occur before c.2000 years ago and by 1500 years ago a range of sites are in use (Memmott et al 2016;Ulm et al 2010).…”