Robust local vegetation records from dense archaeological shell matrixes: a palynological analysis of the Thundiy shell deposit, Bentinck Island, Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia

This study investigates the palynological remains (both fossil pollen and charcoal) recovered from the Thundiy shell midden deposit, Bentinck Island, Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia, to provide a vegetation and fire record for this site, which sheds light on human occupation of the southern...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archaeological and anthropological sciences 2019-02, Vol.11 (2), p.511-520
Main Authors: Moss, Patrick T., Ulm, Sean, Mackenzie, Lydia, Wallis, Lynley A., Rosendahl, Daniel, Steinberger, Lincoln
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anthropology
Archaeology
Archipelagoes
Charcoal
Chemistry/Food Science
Density
Earth and Environmental Science
Earth Sciences
Geography
Holocene
Land management
Life Sciences
Original Paper
Pollen
Preservation
Vegetation
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Summary:This study investigates the palynological remains (both fossil pollen and charcoal) recovered from the Thundiy shell midden deposit, Bentinck Island, Gulf of Carpentaria, northern Australia, to provide a vegetation and fire record for this site, which sheds light on human occupation of the southern Wellesley Archipelago over the late Holocene. Results show that the development of a high-density shell deposit by human activities was directly responsible for pollen preservation, possibly through the creation of a moist, anaerobic environment that reduces oxidation of pollen grains. The presence of recoverable pollen from a shell midden deposit from Bentinck Island provides a valuable new proxy to provide greater context for archaeological records, particularly in terms of local vegetation information and potential insight into human land management practices.
ISSN:1866-9557
1866-9565
DOI:10.1007/s12520-016-0394-0