Hunters in the Highlands: Aboriginal Adaptations in the Eastern Australian Uplands

摘要: Whatever place we have been in, whether on the top of higest mountain, or in any deepest ravines, v/e always find evident marks that natives occasionally resorted to them, although there does not appear be ^ny inducement for them visit those secluded places. Hovell, 1824 (1921). Recent studies focused attention d;Hercnt kinds generalized Australian resource zones Aboriginal exploitation: seashore (Msehaii 1977a, 1977b), desert (Gould 1968, 1969, 1971, 1977a), inland river systems (Allen 1974). One similarly broad zone has however received little this sort: uplands. Such a is admittedly more restricted its geographical occurrence as Australia characteristically continent low relief. In eastern chain mountains runs from north Queensland Victoria, with particularly rugged outlier Tasmania. This highland thus spans some 25 degrees latitude, well Tropic Capricorn, south roaring 40's. Altitudes vary along length chain, highest point being reached at Mt Kosciusko (c. 2200m a.s.l.) southern Alps, just N.S.W.-Victorian border. Obviously many different habitats are found country, but it thought certain similarities human occupational history warrant an overview. There general environmental similarities: highlands tend cold, rugged, inaccessible and relatively poor resources.