[Archaeology Magazine] Matthew Adeleye (left) and David Bowman (right) in Emerald Swamp, Three Hummock Island, AustraliaPhoto: Simon Haberle
Posted on 12/02/2024 7:30:50 PM PST by SunkenCiv
Ancient pollen and charcoal remains uncovered from islands north of Tasmania (Lutruwita) suggest that human fire management practices were happening in the region 41,600 years ago.
This predates the oldest archaeological evidence of people in Tasmania by roughly 2,000 years.
The study, published in Science Advances, draws on 2 sediment records collected from islands in the Bass Strait.
These islands were once part of a land bridge connecting Tasmania to the Australian mainland, as part of the ancient continent of Sahul.
When the Palawa/Pakana communities arrived, current archaeological records suggest that they would have been the southernmost people in the world.
The researchers, guided by Palawa/Pakana rangers, collected 2 mud cores – one 3m deep and the other 4m deep – from sites on Three Hummock Island and Clarke Island...
These sediment cores had built up layer by layer over tens of thousands of years, collecting pollen and charcoal from the surrounding environment over time...
The team analysed pollen and charcoal deposits in the cores, combined with radiocarbon dating, to judge vegetation and fire in the environment.
They found a striking increase in charcoal 41,600 years ago, followed by a change pollens – meaning there was also a change in vegetation...
Haberle says that the results are similar to those from another study he recently co-authored, which used pollen records to find a clear change in vegetation across the southeastern Australian mainland after human arrival...
Cultural burning practices, once done across the continent, have recently been reintroduced in large parts of Australia to help manage the severity of bushfires.
(Excerpt) Read more at cosmosmagazine.com ...
[Archaeology Magazine] Matthew Adeleye (left) and David Bowman (right) in Emerald Swamp, Three Hummock Island, AustraliaPhoto: Simon Haberle
Too bad the Tasmanians lost the recipe for fire.
Welcome to a land that’s way under Down Under
The sky’s always yellow in rain or shine
Down in Taz-Mania!
Come to Taz-Mania!
“The Tasmanians. Those devils.”
Photo.....
Man in back: “When my mama asked me what my work was and I told her I collect mud cores outside all day she almost kicked me out of Thanksgiving dinner. Then I told her I helped change the thinking about the date of arrivals of humans in Tasmania she said “That’s impressive, son. Have some more pie.”
We Didn’t Start the Fire — Billy Joel
Stuned. Did not KNOW he was Tasmanian.
Good to see a local involved in the research. Not sure why they also need an African dude, considering how far away from Africa that they are.
Guessing aborigine.
All I know about Tasmania is from the show Alone which was filmed there.
Every single commercial break they had a tribute and gave homage to the original people of “lutruwita” (it was never capitalized). It was annoying and would be the equivalent of giving tribute to the Mohawk/Iroquois culture of ancient New York during every commercial break of Friends.
All I know about Tasmania is from Bugs Bunny.
“Guessing aborigine.”
Most likely - just having some fun with the “Prisoners of the Motherland”.
Errol Flynn was born in Tasmania. His father was a professor of marine biology and zoology at the University of Tasmania
Why do they assume the fire was set by human fire management?
A dry lightning bolt after a couple years of drought could have created the same fire.
Because there are always lightning bolts. The cores show a period of time where the ash accumulated layer after layer, year after year.
He’s an aborigine.
“Aboriginal people from Galiwnku Island...”
Looks pretty new to me................
It was a barbecue pit. Customers came from all over for some kangaroo ribs and brisket.
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