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The archaeological record of Lower Laura (aka Boralga) Native Mounted Police camp, a longstanding base for Queensland's frontier war in Cape York Peninsula, includes a diverse assemblage of culturally modified Erythophleum chlorastychys (Cooktown ironwood) trees. Analysis of cultural scar attributes and tool marks – which were found to be variously associated with Aboriginal stone tools, tomahawks of different types, and long handled axes – reveals a scenario of nineteenth century land use and technology that transcends the pre-conflict era of Aboriginal clan estates. As well as reflecting traditional patterns of Aboriginal tenure of prime waterfront land, the assemblage reveals innovations that occurred in Aboriginal technology in the lead-up to war. However, an unusual style of cultural scar cut using long handled axes appears to signal transformations in demography and land use following Native Mounted Police occupation. By integrating historical, oral history, spatial, typological, and botanical data this study provides evidence of demographic and environmental changes set in train by the gold-rush invasion. It also highlights the complexities of documenting Cooktown ironwood trees of advanced age and their fragile, deteriorating cultural modifications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the chronologies of three abandoned village sites in an attempt to refine the timing of occupation of low-lying mud islands of the lower Kikori River delta, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Despite evidence for varying degrees of post-depositional disturbance at all three sites, meaningful chronological data can be obtained from the dating of in situ longhouse posts. These new data suggest that although initial delta island occupation probably began around 400–500 years ago as an initial response to new opportunities relating to the hiri trade, the very large villages ethnohistorically recorded for the delta islands may only have attained their impressive sizes somewhat later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palynological study of Whitehaven Swamp, Whitsunday Island, provides the first Holocene palaeoenvironmental record for the Whitsunday region on the central Queensland coast. Sediment stratigraphy and radiocarbon dating indicate continuous freshwater swamp conditions since around 7000 radiocarbon years Before Present (BP). Pollen and charcoal analyses provide local and regional vegetation and fire histories for the site and surrounding area. Varying representation of swamp elements, particularly Leptocarpus and Cyperaceae, provides evidence for phases of permanent and ephemeral swamp conditions. The regional vegetation record is dominated by rainforest, sclerophyll and beach strand elements. Strongest rainforest representation occurs around the mid-Holocene, while sclerophyll elements increase from the late Holocene to present. Charcoal analyses indicate that fire has been a constant component of the Whitsunday environment throughout the period represented. Negative correlation between high charcoal and Leptocarpus pollen concentrations suggests a strong local component to the charcoal record and a history of on-site burning during ephemeral swamp phases. The vegetation reconstruction suggests moister than present conditions at Whitehaven between approximately 7000 to 4500 BP. This complies with claims for a mid-Holocene climatic optimum based on pollen records from the Atherton Tableland to the north, but contrasts with suggested mid-Holocene aridity based on a surrogate lake water level record from Fraser Island to the south. Comparisons with the regional archaeological record provide no evidence for direct links between major environmental change and archaeologically identified cultural change. In particular, claims for late Holocene population intensification are not matched by changes in the charcoal record. This may suggest that widespread vegetation burning was not a predominant feature of hunter–gatherer strategies that were focused towards marine resources, and/or that human-induced fire regimes were already well entrenched prior to intensification. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report on archaeological excavations undertaken at Kumukumu 1 atop the dense rainforest-clad Aird Hills of the Kikori river delta islands, south coast of Papua New Guinea. Results indicate exploitation of the nearby environment, including the gathering of some 200 million shellfish from riverine habitats at the base of the hill some 600 years ago, and deposition of shell remains onto hilltop middens. We ask what the implications of such a site in a defensive location on the upper, steep hillslope of Kumukumu hill are for regional occupation and dynamics. We conclude that the hinterland-marine fringe islands of the river deltas that include the site of Kumukumu 1 were especially sensitive to heightened cross-cultural influences and inter-group raids and competition, leading to accelerated processes of centralisation and aggrandisement among some groups, and the subjugation, fragmentation and dispersal of less powerful neighbouring groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]