At the margins of the high country: a terminal Pleistocene to late Holocene occupation record from Wee Jasper, southeastern Australia

Abstract

The archaeological deposit of cave site Wee Jasper 99 (WJ99), in the foothills of the Namadgi Ranges, spans an uninterrupted 12,000 years beginning in the terminal Pleistocene. Archaeological patterns for the terminal Pleistocene and early Holocene reflect the sparse, short-term occupation seen elsewhere in the region, with a simple lithic technology, and several bone implements reflecting cultural practices involving perishable organic materials. A mid-Holocene phase (7,000 to 4,500 cal BP)—possibly reflecting a small but widespread wave of exploration into the high country—sees increased evidence for site use coinciding with more complex lithic technology, including abundant retouch and backed artefacts. A decrease in cave use follows, perhaps associated with a more general withdrawal of people from high elevations around 4,500 cal BP. The evidence for this latter phase is a reduction in artefact discard and subtle technological changes. In the context of related archaeological records and a local environmental history, the findings contribute to our understanding of the Aboriginal history of the Australian high country and its margins. The unique chronostratigraphy, excellent preservation conditions and abundant unexcavated deposit, establish WJ99 as a regionally important site with high archaeological and palaeoenvironmental research potential.

Keywords:

• Aboriginal
• lithic artefacts
• bone implements
• limestone cave

Acknowledgements

The traditional owners of the Namadgi region, including 11 Registered Aboriginal Parties who have been involved with the project, are thanked for permission to work at WJ99 and for encouraging the project. Thank you to A. Spate for recommending WJ99, and to landowners I. and H. Cathles for access to the site and logistical support during fieldwork. In the field, excavation would not have been possible without the contributions of many volunteers: F. Atkinson, A. Benson, A. Constantine, C. Delaney, B. Downing, G. Hope, J. Hull, H. James, R. Jones, S. Kershaw, A. Melville, M. Popple, B. San Miguel, T. Tavener, E. Theden-Ringl, J. Theys, A. Wade, A. Way, P. White and F. Wiig. Analytical advice was kindly provided by K. Aplin (bone) and T. Maloney (lithics). G. Hope, S. O’Connor, V. Attenbrow and two anonymous reviewers are thanked for comments on earlier versions of the manuscript. P. Boot (formerly NSW OEH) assisted with the process of obtaining the relevant permissions (AHIP 1131981).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The work reported here is supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award, the Australian National University, and a Postgraduate Research Award (PGRA) from the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering. Additional funds for dating were kindly provided by G. Hope and S. O’Connor. MCL was funded by an ARC DECRA [DE170101076].