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Discovery Unveils 8,000 Years of Aboriginal History on Yorke Peninsula
Recent research conducted by Flinders University in collaboration with the University of South Australia, along with the Narungga Nation Aboriginal Corporation and Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporation, has uncovered a rich tapestry of Aboriginal history spanning 8,000 years on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula, known in Narungga language as Guuranda.
The analysis involved radiocarbon dating of marine shells and various materials gathered from seven archaeological sites. Among these, four sites were situated on the mainland at Point Pearce Peninsula, locally referred to as Burgiyana, while three were located on Wardang Island, called Waraldi.
The findings are significant as these shell remains are linked to the dietary practices of Narungga ancestors, shedding light on their engagement with the surrounding Sea Country.
The research paper titled “Burgiyana and Waraldi: A radiocarbon chronology for a selection of coastal and island archaeological sites on Yorke Peninsula/Guuranda, South Australia,” authored by A. Roberts, A. Mollenmans, L-I. Rigney, and representatives from the Narungga Nation and Point Pearce Aboriginal Corporation, has been published in The Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology.
According to Flinders University archaeologist and Ph.D. candidate Adrian Mollenmans, “These results reveal a timeline that includes the period when Wardang Island was still connected to the mainland, as well as the historical phase post-sea level rise that occurred after the Last Glacial Maximum.” This highlights the significant environmental changes over millennia.
Professor Amy Roberts of Flinders University elaborates, noting that “the dating results illuminate the challenges faced by the Narungga ancestors as significant portions of their landscape succumbed to rising sea levels, leading to the creation of new islands. The archaeological record shows interruptions that reflect these environmental shifts.”
Professor Lester-Irabinna Rigney from the University of South Australia, a prominent scholar of Narungga heritage, emphasized the importance of storytelling in Aboriginal culture. He remarked, “The experiences of sea-level rise and the formation of new landforms have been conveyed through generations of our ancestors.” He further shared traditions of the Old People, who expertly navigated the waters to swim to Wardang Island for cultural practices such as collecting penguin eggs and fishing.
The radiocarbon dates also chronicle the more contemporary era following European settlement, illustrating the enduring relationship that Narungga people maintain with their coastal and island environments. Professor Rigney stressed the relevance of this research in today’s context, highlighting “the significant consequences of sea-level rise and the imperative to protect our ecosystems for future generations.”
More information:
Amy Roberts et al, “Burgiyana and Waraldi: A radiocarbon chronology for a selection of coastal and island archaeological sites on Yorke Peninsula/Guuranda, South Australia,” The Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology (2024). DOI: 10.1080/15564894.2024.2419951
Citation: Researchers reveal 8,000 years of Aboriginal history on Yorke Peninsula (2024, December 16) retrieved 16 December 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2024-12-reveal-years-aboriginal-history-yorke.html
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