Paper dates 82 pottery pieces found in single dig site at between 3,000 and 2,000 years old and finds they were most likely made by Aboriginal people
Great Barrier Reef discovery overturns belief Aboriginal Australians did not make pottery, archaeologists say
The archaeologists say the finds open “a new chapter in Australian, Melanesian and Pacific archaeology”.The Walmbaar Aboriginal Corporation chairperson, Kenneth McLean, is a Dingaal clan member and traditional owner of the group of islands on which the pottery was unearthed. One is that they were all isolated from the rest of the world. Another regards the simplicity of Aboriginal watercraft.
“Holding the pieces of pottery that were locally made, on Country, that was feeling my ancestors’ presence,” he said.Much, though, remains to be learned about how the pots were made and appeared. The average size of the sherds is less than 2cm – too small and fragmented to reveal much of their original form and function.
Attempts to date those pottery pieces were inconclusive, though they were interpreted by many as direct evidence of the presence of Lapita people in Australia. MacLean, too, hopes the research will encourage further collaboration between Indigenous communities and archeologists that will “find more of the ancient artifacts that could rewrite Australia’s ancient history”.professor Bryce Barker, who was not involved in the study, says it “certainly is very significant” and an “exemplary piece of research”.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Rangers capture rare meeting between saltwater croc and arctic bird on the Great Barrier ReefThe arctic bird was the only one of its species recorded on the island and the croc was 15 kilometres away from mainland.
Read more »
How the McLaren Formula One team is helping save the Great Barrier ReefBritish Formula One race team McLaren deployed engineers to help the Great Barrier Reef Foundation speed up its coral spawning program.
Read more »
Three Quarters of Great Barrier Reef Hit by Coral BleachingA widespread coral bleaching event has affected three quarters of the Great Barrier Reef due to a marine heatwave, posing a global bleaching threat.
Read more »
Unprecedented spread of coral bleaching along Great Barrier ReefAerial survey results show massive bleaching along the 2300-kilometre ecosystem, which may trigger the announcement of a global event following similar incidents in the northern hemisphere.
Read more »
Three Quarters of Great Barrier Reef Hit by Coral BleachingA widespread coral bleaching event has affected three quarters of the Great Barrier Reef due to a marine heatwave, posing a global bleaching threat.
Read more »
Experts fear Great Barrier Reef moving closer to tipping pointSarah Ferguson presents Australia's premier daily current affairs program, delivering agenda-setting public affairs journalism and interviews that hold the powerful to account. Plus political analysis from Laura Tingle.
Read more »