Late Holocene edge-ground axe production and marine shell beads from Brooking Gorge 1 rockshelter, southern Kimberley

Abstract

Excavation of Brooking Gorge 1 rockshelter, located within Bunuba Country, southern Kimberley, Western Australia, demonstrates a late Holocene record of edge-grinding technology and scaphopod bead use. Excavated in 1993, we report here for the first time the summary data, radiocarbon dates and important finds. The stone tool technology from the site documents a rare focus on edge-ground axe manufacture. Scaphopod beads, significant in the symbolic material culture of the region, were also found.