时间:2024-11-10 11:11:29 来源:网络整理编辑:綜合
The Indigenous people of Australia have lived there for a very, very long time, but just how long ha
The Indigenous people of Australia have lived there for a very, very long time, but just how long has been a source of contention.
Now there's perhaps a more concrete answer. New evidence published in the journal Naturepoints to humans inhabiting Australia for 65,000 years -- much earlier than the 47,000 years estimated by some archaeologists.
SEE ALSO:Morocco fossils push back the timeline on human originsIt's the result of more than 10,000 artefacts discovered at the lowest layer of a site called the Madjedbebe rock shelter, which uncovers some of the complex behaviour of the earliest modern humans.
"The site contains the oldest ground-edge stone axe technology in the world, the oldest known seed-grinding tools in Australia and evidence of finely made stone points which may have served as spear tips," according to Associate Professor Chris Clarkson from the University of Queensland in a statement.
Excavation leader Chris Clarkson stands in front of the 2015 excavation area with local Djurrubu Aboriginal Rangers Vernon Hardy, Mitchum Nango, Jacob Baird, and Claude Hardy.Credit: © Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation"Most striking of all, in a region known for its spectacular rock art, are the huge quantities of ground ochre and evidence of ochre processing found at the site, from the older layer continuing through to the present.
Since the 1970s, archaeologists have excavated the Madjedbebe site four times, most recently in 2012 and 2015.
It's located on the lands belonging to the Mirarr people, in an area surrounded by Kakadu national park in the Northern Territory. The Mirarr reached a landmark agreement with researchers to dig up the site.
Dating of these artefacts by Professor Zenobia Jacobs from the University of Wollongong also reveals the earliest Indigenous Australians lived alongside an extinct species of giant animals.
An edge-ground hatchet head being excavated.Credit: © Gundjeihmi Aboriginal CorporationThe discovery could also challenge what is understood about the dispersal of modern humans out of Africa, to what is now Southeast Asia.
It's thought that people crossed over from Southeast Asia to Australia at a time when there were lower sea levels and a shorter distance between the two countries.
Located within an area earmarked for uranium mining, Madjedbebe has been at the centre of archaeological debate -- but the latest findings also accentuate how important it is to protect the site.
"This study confirms the sophistication of the Australian Aboriginal toolkit and underscores the universal importance of the Jabiluka area," Justin O'Brien, CEO of Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation, said in a statement.
"These findings reinforce the need for the highest level of conservation and protection for this site."
PlayStation Now game streaming is coming to PC2024-11-10 11:04
Want better sex? Start by learning your desire style.2024-11-10 10:21
Over 10,000 MrBeast fans showed up to buy a burger. We asked them why.2024-11-10 10:10
'Andor' review: Star Wars tries something new, with mixed results2024-11-10 09:40
Singapore gets world's first driverless taxis2024-11-10 09:36
Mark Zuckerberg backtracks after Horizon Worlds backlash2024-11-10 08:56
Want better sex? Start by learning your desire style.2024-11-10 08:56
'Quordle' today: See each 'Quordle' answer and hints for August 202024-11-10 08:53
Chinese gymnastics team horrifies crowd with human jump rope2024-11-10 08:41
NASA cancels second Artemis launch attempt to the moon amid stubborn fuel leak2024-11-10 08:38
MashReads Podcast: What makes a good summer read?2024-11-10 11:09
BeReal could start adding paid features in 20232024-11-10 11:03
Netflix's ad2024-11-10 11:00
TikTok videos show heartwarming support for California's farmworkers2024-11-10 10:30
Two astronauts just installed a new parking spot on the International Space Station2024-11-10 10:15
Apple Watch 8 pre2024-11-10 09:00
Samsung announces data breach affecting undisclosed number of customers2024-11-10 08:58
TikTok officially rolls out its dislike button for comments2024-11-10 08:41
Katy Perry talks 'Rise,' her next batch of songs, and how to survive Twitter2024-11-10 08:32
Early gameplay footage of GTA 6 has been leaked online2024-11-10 08:25