Late Holocene Indigenous Economies of the Tropical Australian Coast: An archaeological study of the Darwin region

Albatross Bay, near Weipa on western Cape York Peninsula, is well known for the large number of anthropogenic late Holocene shell mound sites that occur in the region. Recent research on shell mound formation and use both here and elsewhere across northern Australia has focused upon the extent to which mound formation may have been tied to intensive use of periodically available gluts of the intertidal bivalve Anadara granosa. This paper explores whether such a model applies in the Albatross Bay region, drawing on data available from 477 shell matrix sites recorded in this region. Data on site size, morphology, composition, substrate type, proximity to contemporary shorelines and shell mound chronology support a model of Aboriginal people episodically and strategically targeting a highly variable niche estuarine resource base rather than intensively focusing on one species. It is proposed that these production strategies were characterised by a high degree of flexibility in terms of resource focus, at times involving a considerable emphasis on A. granosa, but also incorporating other estuarine resources, and that the level or intensity of production was able to be scaled up or down in line with resource availability and abundance. This production system was based upon nuanced knowledge of annual and intra‐annual ecosystem dynamics along with social organisation and communication networks that facilitated a high degree of flexibility around the strategic exploitation of variable estuarine resource bases.

Section: Archaeology In Oceania 79mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Niche production strategies and shell matrix site variability at Albatross Bay, Cape York Peninsula

Morrison

2013

“…Shell weight is still used by midden analysts as a proxy measure for shell size, volume and/or abundance (Bourke 2000(Bourke , 2002Morrison 2010;Wolverton et al 2009). In Australia for example, shell size variability has been investigated by dividing the average weight by MnI of whole, unbroken A. granosa valves from each excavation unit (Bourke 2000:70), and A. granosa MnI estimates derived from the determination of average weight per diagnostic valve (Morrison 2010:104).…”

Section: Discussion/conclusion: Implications For Midden Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying shell weight loss in archaeological deposits

Faulkner

2011

While a range of physical and chemical taphonomic processes are known to affect archaeological shell assemblages, it has been difficult to directly quantify the effects of these degradational processes on the shell itself. Here the measurements of Anadara granosa shell features are used to derive morphometric equations for estimating expected shell weights. A cubic regression model is developed to this end, based on measurements of all shell elements of complete A. granosa valves, resulting in high predictive power. The morphometric method proposed here therefore allows for the comparison of observed and expected shell weights to determine the extent of weight loss as an indication of these processes. A case study is presented by applying these morphometric equations to a midden assemblage from northeast Arnhem Land to investigate potential bias in shell preservation. This study demonstrates the efficacy of the proposed method, and the need to assess the interaction of different taphonomic processes on a site and species‐specific basis.

“…The earth mounds of northern Australia are mainly located on the coastal plains of Arnhem Land and around Weipa in western Cape York Peninsula (e.g. Bourke ; Brockwell , , , , ; Brockwell et al . ; Burns ; Cribb , ; Meehan , ; Meehan et al .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reimagining life and death: Results and interpretation of geophysical and ethnohistorical investigations of earth mounds, Mapoon, Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia

Pierre¹,

Conyers

Sutton³

et al. 2019

Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetic surveys were conducted on 13 earth mounds within Mapoon Aboriginal Lands, western Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. Detailed analysis of GPR profiles and amplitude maps of the mounds were compared to those from previously recorded, known burials at the Mapoon Mission Cemetery. Based on these models, burials were identified in ten of the 13 mounds. Both European-style (coffin) and traditional burials were identified, suggesting that they were used for human interment for some time and that there may have been continuity of burial practice in these features after European contact. GPR and magnetics also indicate that a number of mounds had constructed floors or platforms at the base of the mounds, and evidence for burning. Stratigraphic layers identified with GPR show that many of these mounds have complex internal layering, suggesting multiple building episodes. Based on the GPR and magnetics results, in conjunction with ethnohistorical and oral history research, we conclude that the mounds are constructed features that appear to have had a long history of use for multiple purposes, including mortuary. These results demonstrate the cultural continuity of mortuary practices within Mapoon from pre-contact times to the present. RÉSUMÉDes relevés géo-radar ou encore appelés radar de pénétration au sol (GPR) et magnétique ontété effectués sur 13 monticules de terre situés sur les terres autochtones de "Mapoon", dans I'ouest de la péninsule du Cap York, dans le Queensland en Australie. Une analyse détaillée de ceb profils et des cartes d'amplitude des monticules, aété comparéeà celles d'enterrements connus et précédemment enregistrés dans le cimetière de la mission de "Mapoon".À partir de ces relevés, des inhumations ontété trouvées dans dix des 13 monticules. Des sépultures traditionnelles, de style européen (en cercueil) ontété identifiées, suggérant qu'ellesétaient utilisées pour I'enterrement d'humains et qu'il pourrait y avoir eu une continuité de la pratique de I'inhumation après les premiers contacts avec une civilisation européenne. Ces analyses indiquentégalement qu'un certain nombre de monticules avaient des sols ou des plates-formes construitsà leurs bases, ainsi que des traces de brûlures. Les couches stratigraphiques identifiées avec géo-radar montrent que beaucoup de ces monticules présentent une stratification interne complexe, suggérant de multiplesépisodes de construction.À partir de ces résultats, ainsi que de la recherche en histoire ethno-historique et orale, nous concluons que les monticules ont des caractéristiques de construction démontrant une utilisationà des fins multiples, y compris en tant que morgue. Ces résultats démontrent la continuité culturelle des pratiques mortuaires au sein de la mission de "Mapoon" depuis les temps précédant le contact avecu une civilisation européenne et continué de nos iours.