Dugong processing as an archaeological phenomenon : evidence from a small complex of sites at Princess Charlotte Bay, north Queensland

Abstract

This thesis examines the way pattering of activities involved in the processing of dugong is reflected in the archaeological record. The model developed has certain implications of relevance to the insterpretation of faunal assemblages containing dugong bone. These are discussed. Ethnohistorical and ethnographic descriptions of dugong proscessing in Aboriginal and Islander communities at several locations along the Queens land coastline are first surveyed. It is suggested that a certain basic form can be discerned in the organization of activities involved, which reflects the dugongrs marine habitat, size, and the quantity of meat each represents. Three types of activity loci are distinguished: initial butchering sites, main cooking and consumption sites, and base camps. The distribution of dugong remains in a small complex of archaeological sites at Princess Charlotte Bay, far north Queens land, is then described. Analysis reveals that the pattern of distribution varies considerably both with the skeletal elements examined and with the age of individual s. Three types of sites are distinguished, on the basis of number and type of skeletal elements present. Corressponding variations are found in several other dimensions, including relative proportions of dugong and non-dugong faunal remains, number and type of non-dugong species represented, number and types of arti-facts and location relative to landscape and archaeological features It is argued that the observed variation in faunal assemblages can best be accounted for in terms of activity patterning. An attempt is made to co-ordinate the ethnographic and archaeological pictures presented. This interpretation leads to two inter-related conclusions. Firstly, the demographic structure of any faunal assemblage containsing dugong bone will not be equivalent to that of diet. Secondly, the relationship between assemblage and diet will vary with site activity regime. Thus site function must be identified before meansingful inferences can be drawn from faunal assemblages. A classification of dugong processing sites is proposed. Finally, the nature of relationships between assemblages and diet are discussed. No attempt is made to operationalize the relationships involved but it is conc1uded that they may be of two forms.