The early occupation of the Eastern Pilbara revisited: New radiometric chronologies and archaeological results from Newman Rockshelter and Newman Orebody XXIX

Abstract

For over 30 years, the radiometric chronologies of Newman Rockshelter and Newman Orebody XXIX have been central to archaeological discussions on the Pleistocene Aboriginal occupation of the Hamersley Plateau and greater Pilbara region. Until 2009, these two sites were heralded as having the oldest evidence of human occupation on the plateau, dating to the last glacial maximum (LGM) ∼ 26–20 ka. More recently however, the excavations at several other rockshelters have shown that ancient Aboriginal peoples occupied the Hamersley Plateau many thousands of years before the onset of the last glacial cycle, when regional climatic conditions were wetter and more amenable. This paper presents the results of our re-excavation of both Newman Rockshelter and Newman Orebody XXIX. Our research has resulted in the compilation and analysis of large lithic datasets for each of these sites and the construction of geo-chronologies using modern radiometric techniques, including AMS-radiocarbon dating and optically stimulated luminescence dating. These new radiometric chronologies and artefact data indicate that both sites were occupied between 45 and 40 ka. Despite having significant early occupational evidence, neither of the rockshelters present strong evidence for sustained or persistent site use during the LGM proper ca. 23–19 ka; however, there is substantial evidence for more routine occupation of these localities during the terminal Pleistocene and Holocene.