Silcrete quarries and artefact distribution in the Central Queensland Highlands, Eastern Australia

摘要: ABSTRACT A geoarchaeological study of silcrete in the Central Queensland Highlands highlights importance geological context understanding procurement, use and transport artefacts. This shows, by focusing on a newly discovered quarry, that formed beneath basalt silicification stream sediments underlying sandstone. Silcrete outcrops are largely restricted to cliffs where base is exposed, narrowing location potential quarries. artefacts abundant throughout region, there clear patterns distribution different qualities silcrete. Fine-grained grain-supported dominant artefact lithology because its excellent flaking quality: it sufficiently versatile make flake scrapers retouched microlithic tools. At one occupation site, mid-Holocene appearance backed points was accompanied an increase fine-grained decrease exploitation coarse-grained matrix-supported silcrete; latter less suited manufacture more curated With increasing distance from outcrops, percentage expedient local lithologies. However, silcrete's quality justified dispersal over distances >80 kilometres nearest outcrop. Keywords: silcrete, central Queensland, dispersal. ********** probably most widespread Australia (e.g. Mulvaney & Kamminga 1999; White O'Connell 1982), due abundance often high-quality properties (Webb Domanski 2008). In Highlands, stone tools archaeological excavations caves rock shelters include significant amounts but not identified as such some previous studies--for example, Joyce (1965) -its lithic resource this region has thus far been underestimated. paper, we analysis samples quarry at Ogres Thumb, together with data previously excavated assemblages other sites, assess availability variation physical characteristics likely quarries region. We also consider factors may have influenced selection Aboriginal toolmakers stages cultural sequence. studies raw material should incorporate solid (Tykot 2003: 63), first discuss formation WHAT IS SILCRETE? term used Lamplugh (1902) describe strongly indurated resulting surface or near-surface low-temperature weathered bedrock, regolith and/or unconsolidated (Summerfield 1983; Webb Golding 1998). Silcretes reported all continents except Antarctica, Australia, southern Africa Europe (Nash Ullyott 2007). brittle, lustrous conchoidal fracture, very resistant weathering. layers generally limited vertical thickness ( can be subdivided into pedogenic, groundwater pan/lacustrine types Pedogenic silcretes irregular bases merge sediments, normally contain structures indicative soil-forming processes--for nodules, cutans columns--that overwrite original textures parent material. By contrast, massive, sharp upper lower boundaries, exhibit good preservation host lack pedogenic features (Ullyott et al. …