more archaeology in the news - human remains depicted
Gary Vines
Remote outback archaeology project unearths new stories about early Aboriginal lives
Updated 3 Jun 2017, 10:43am
In Queensland's remote Channel Country of red dirt and gibber rock, an archaeological discovery is raising questions around the idea that Indigenous groups were nomadic hunter gatherers.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following story contains images of people who have died.
While historical accounts have suggested Aboriginal Australians may have lived in permanent settlements, scientists say there is relatively limited archaeological evidence to back this up.
But now, a unique collaboration between Mithaka traditional owners, defence veterans, and scientists is unearthing skeletons and stone circles that experts say may paint a new picture of early Aboriginal lives.
"Half of the individual has been washed away, so it's a rescue excavation," Griffith University's Dr Michael Westaway said.
"We're trying to recover those remains that are still in situ, and trying to understand how old this person was, how long ago they were buried and trying to provide some insights into what the people were doing in this country."
Just days into the dig, Dr Westaway was finding answers.
"We still don't know the antiquity of the burial... but they look like they're the remains of a young man," he said.
The skeletons were not the only artefacts gaining the attention of experts.
Palaeontologists and geochronologists worked alongside local Aboriginal people to launch drones into the sky in search of evidence suggesting early life.
"We've got a drone up to get an aerial view of it all, and to work out what these sites were for and how Aboriginal people used them," Mithaka traditional elder George Gorringe said.
"My theory at this stage is I think it is some type of ceremonial ground.
"We're not sure if it's men or women, but we'll find out through the research."
A life of villages
To Dr Westaway, the stone circles tell a different story.
"What's really extraordinary about this place is the complexity and the extent and scale of the archaeology," he said.
"The sites themselves extend over quite a few square kilometres, and there's division of activity so they have quite a few different things happening at these sites."
This division of activity has left scientists scratching their heads.
"There is generally an idea that Australia was a continent of hunter gatherers, but what we see in this landscape is extensive evidence for seed-grinding and processing," Dr Westaway said.
"We see these large site complexes that almost look like villages.
"If it does turn out to be something like that, well then, that really changes our entire perspective of the Aboriginal lifestyle, prior to the arrival of Europeans."
For Mr Gorringe, it is big news that needs recording.
"If we don't do it [the research] and pass it on, it's all going to be lost," he said.
"By doing it this way, it's not word-of-mouth anymore because there's not enough of us left.
"Most of the old people are gone and they haven't passed that down, so if we can do this now, we're going to save the next generation the trouble we've had over the years."
Helping discharged soldiers
The archaeology project is not just helping the Mithaka people.
The Cameleers, a group of former military personnel have overseen the medical support, logistics, and supply of equipment like fridges and quad bikes.
Founder George Koulakis said archaeology was familiar work for trained soldiers.
"The Cameleers come from a background where they work and operate in the desert — that's what they've been doing for the last 10 or 15 years," he said.
"And when you look at what they initially joined the defence force for, it was to give their all to their country and the people of Australia. They are doing exactly the same thing today."
Apart from doing much of the grunt work, Mr Koulakis said the project was helping the veterans with their recovery.
"They're discharged from the military and the message they get is 'you're not good enough anymore'," he said.
"Well here, not only are they good enough, they are exceptional, and they lead the way.
"I just love that every part of you is needed out here — mentally, emotionally, physically — constantly you're giving, giving, giving to make the project work."