Preliminary archaeological survey and remote-sensing of shell mounds at Kwokkunum, Albatross Bay, Cape York Peninsula, Australia

Joshua Emmitt,Simon J. Holdaway,Benjamin Davies,Eloise Hoffman,Kasey Allely

doi:10.25120/qar.23.2020.3718

Joshua Emmitt, Simon J. Holdaway + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.25120/qar.23.2020.3718

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Abstract

Shell mounds are a prominent part of the Cape York Peninsula archaeological record. A short period of fieldwork allowed initial assessment of their presence, size, and shape in the Kwokkunum region, Albatross Bay. Shell mounds found in this area vary in size with some examples amongst the largest found in the Cape York Peninsula. Comparison of terrestrial and airborne LiDAR data suggests that shell mounds in areas like Kwokkunum may be identified remotely where mound slopes exceed 5–10°. However, vegetation provides significant challenges for shell mound recording and vegetation on the mounds impacts on their form and preservation. Some of the challenges the largest mounds pose for investigation are reviewed.

Highlights

Despite decades of research in the Albatross Bay region, we are only beginning to understand the chronology of mound formation, variation in the size and shape of mounds, and the processes that led to the form of the mounds that we see today
Visual inspection of the airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data identified 88 potential shell mounds in the area not covered by previous surveys (Figure 7)
The region is significant because unlike the Weipa Peninsula it has not to date been subjected to extensive bauxite mining

Summary

Introduction

Despite decades of research in the Albatross Bay region, we are only beginning to understand the chronology of mound formation, variation in the size and shape of mounds, and the processes that led to the form of the mounds that we see today. Kwokkunum is notable for a number of large shell mounds up to 10m in height The size of these mounds, among the largest in the Albatross Bay region, provide particular challenges for research and significance assessment. Anadara granosa) shells are a common feature of the shorelines of estuarine rivers discharging into Albatross Bay. Shell mound numbers are estimated at over 500 (Bailey et al 1994) but most remain under-studied Over 50% of known shell deposits are located within 250m of the coastline (Morrison 2010:162), shell deposits are found on many different landforms such as coastal plains, relict sand ridges, mangrove mud (i.e. within the mangrove forest), and on the bauxite plateau (Bailey et al 1994:78-79; Morrison 2010:166, 2013)

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