Murujuga Rockshelter: First evidence for Pleistocene occupation on the Burrup Peninsula

摘要: Abstract The Dampier Archipelago (including the Burrup Peninsula), now generally known as Murujuga, is a significant rock art province in north-western Australia which documents transition of an arid-maritime cultural landscape through time. This archipelago 42 islands has only existed since mid-Holocene, when sea level rose to its current height. Previous excavations across Murujuga have demonstrated Holocene occupation sequences, but highly weathered depicting extinct fauna and early styles suggests far greater age for production. archaeological record from Pilbara Carnarvon bioregions demonstrates human 50,000 years environmental change. While regional prehistory engraved that people were producing here they first occupied these arid rocky slopes, no clear evidence Pleistocene been found until now. Rockshelter (MR1) reveals this shelter began late Last Glacial Maximum, Ranges would likely served one network refugia. In terminal Pleistocene/Early Holocene, tandem with last stages rise, proportion artefacts manufactured on exotic lithologies declines sharply, revealing changed foraging range increasing territorial focus period increased demographic packing coastline advanced. Abandonment site 7000 ago indicated, suggesting changing resource increasingly proximal coastline. paper provides how Aboriginal adapted their procurement strategies response changes Murujuga. logistical strategy explanation production Holocene.