The Archaeology of Rock Art in Western Arnhem Land, Australia

Abstract

terra australis 47Terra Australis reports the results of archaeological and related research within the south and east of Asia, though mainly Australia, New Guinea and Island Melanesia -lands that remained terra australis incognita to generations of prehistorians. Its subject is the settlement of the diverse environments in this isolated quarter of the globe by peoples who have maintained their discrete and traditional ways of life into the recent recorded or remembered past and at times into the observable present. Copyright of the text remains with the authors, 2017. This book is copyright in all countries subscribing to the Berne convention. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. Inquiries should be made to the publisher. List of volumes in Terra AustralisTerra Australis Editorial Board: Sue O'Connor, Jack Golson, Simon Haberle, Sally Brockwell, Geoffrey Clark. .6 Long-necked spearthrowers from other locations as recorded by , Lewis (1998), and Welch (1997). 74 .2 This painting depicts a predatory quadruped with a distinctively developed head and muzzle region unlike a thylacine. It is suggested that the robust proportions of the head represent a morphology similar to that of the marsupial lion Thylacoleo carnifex. 149x The Archaeology of Rock Art in Western Arnhem Land, Australia terra australis 47 .27 Square P after completion of excavation showing south and west walls (the green string is the south side of the square). Note the flat rock surface at base. 266Figure 11.28 Square P east and south sections, with XUs and radiocarbon dates back-plotted. 267Figure 11.29 Square P showing sediments at the base of A: XU16 (average basal depth = 22 cm below ground), a stratigraphic level above that of the dried paint drops; B: XU21 (average basal depth = 28 cm below ground), a stratigraphic level below that of the dried paint drops; C: XU18 (average basal depth = 24 cm below ground), at the stratigraphic level containing the dried paint drops, here visible as lighter-coloured patches. 268 Figure 11.30 Profile view (top) and interpretation (bottom) of GPR data from the southeast to northwest ends of the rockshelter passing through Square P. 270 Figure 11.31 Bayesian age model for Square P produced with OxCal v4.2 (see text for discussion). 272 .37 Edge of the densely pillared, slightly elevated area to the south of the shelter. 280 Figure 11.38 Projected view of the Nawarla Gabarnmang shelter and the densely pillared edge of the slightly elevated area to the south. 281 Figure 11.39 Geomorphological reconstitution of the area around Square P. 284Figure 11.40 Square P: Distribution of stone artefacts and bone + teeth (excluding a particularly large stone artefact weighing 164.0 g from XU3, to enable better visualisation of the overall distribution down the XU profile). 286 Table 2.3 Radiocarbon dates on charcoal from Test Pits B and C, MN05. 36 Table 3.1 Gen...