Lithic Artefact Distribution in the Rouse Hill Development Area, Cumberland Plain, New South Wales

Abstract

For several years systematic test excavations have been conducted in the open landscape of the Rouse Hill Development Area (RHDA), as part of development impact mitigation projects. Data on artefact distribution and density from these projects are combined here to identify patterns which might signal Aboriginal people’s preferences for artefact discard in their landscape. Topographic and stream order variables correlate with artefact density and distribution. High artefact density concentrations may have resulted from larger numbers of artefact discard activities and/or from intensive stone flaking. Highest artefact densities occur on terraces and lower slopes associated with 4th and 2nd order streams, especially 50–100m from 4th order streams. Upper slopes have sparse discontinuous artefact distributions but artefacts are still found in these landscape settings. As artefacts are found in all tested areas and site boundaries are not identified, most of the RHDA could be regarded as a cultural landscape.