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Archaeological evidence of an ethnographically documented Australian Aboriginal ritual dated to the last ice age

Earth Sciences

Archaeological evidence of an ethnographically documented Australian Aboriginal ritual dated to the last ice age

B. David, R. Mullett, et al.

Discover the ancient secrets of Cloggs Cave in Australia, where archaeological excavations revealed 11,000- and 12,000-year-old miniature fireplaces. These findings, tied to cultural traditions of the GunaiKurnai people, showcase Australia’s oldest known wooden artifacts and offer a glimpse into 500 generations of cultural transmission. This groundbreaking research was conducted by a team of experts including Bruno David and Russell Mullett.

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Playback language: English
Abstract
Archaeological excavations at Cloggs Cave in Australia uncovered 11,000- and 12,000-year-old miniature fireplaces containing trimmed *Casuarina* wood smeared with animal or human fat. This matches descriptions of GunaiKurnai ritual installations from 19th-century ethnography, representing 500 generations of cultural transmission dating back to the last ice age and containing Australia's oldest known wooden artifacts.
Publisher
Nature Human Behaviour
Published On
Jul 01, 2024
Authors
Bruno David, Russell Mullett, Nathan Wright, Birgitta Stephenson, Jeremy Ash, Joanna Fresløv, GunaiKurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, Jean-Jacques Delannoy, Matthew C. McDowell, Jerome Mialanes, Fiona Petchey, Lee J. Arnold, Ashleigh J. Rogers, Joe Crouch, Helen Green, Chris Urwin, Carney D. Matheson
Tags
Cloggs Cave
miniature fireplaces
Casuarina wood
GunaiKurnai
archaeological excavations
cultural transmission
ice age

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