Re-Excavation of Dabangay, a Mid-Holocene Settlement Site on Mabuyag in Western Torres Strait

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Author(s)
Wright, Duncan
Hiscock, Peter
Aplin, Ken
Griffith University Author(s)
Year published
2013
Metadata
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The discovery and initial excavation of Dabangay in 2006 established a 7200 year chronology for human settlement on Mabuyag (Mabuiag) in western Torres Strait. This was one of only two Torres Strait sites to pre-date 4000 years ago, providing a rare opportunity to study human activities spanning the mid-to-late Holocene. Remarkable organic preservation and a large mid-Holocene stone artefact assemblage provided insights into long-term continuity and change in lithic technologies and economic strategies; however, results remained preliminary owing to uncertainties about site disturbance. This paper presents results from a ...
View more >The discovery and initial excavation of Dabangay in 2006 established a 7200 year chronology for human settlement on Mabuyag (Mabuiag) in western Torres Strait. This was one of only two Torres Strait sites to pre-date 4000 years ago, providing a rare opportunity to study human activities spanning the mid-to-late Holocene. Remarkable organic preservation and a large mid-Holocene stone artefact assemblage provided insights into long-term continuity and change in lithic technologies and economic strategies; however, results remained preliminary owing to uncertainties about site disturbance. This paper presents results from a second field season of excavations at Dabangay. Wesuggest chronological association between emerging lithic technologies and altered subsistence practices. Large marine vertebrate bone (present in small quantities from initial settlement), increased after 4200 years ago coincident with increased preference for production of quartz bipolar flakes. A further development after 1800-1600 years ago involved a substantial increase in large and small marine vertebrates and a further increase in the ratio of quartz to igneous lithics.
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View more >The discovery and initial excavation of Dabangay in 2006 established a 7200 year chronology for human settlement on Mabuyag (Mabuiag) in western Torres Strait. This was one of only two Torres Strait sites to pre-date 4000 years ago, providing a rare opportunity to study human activities spanning the mid-to-late Holocene. Remarkable organic preservation and a large mid-Holocene stone artefact assemblage provided insights into long-term continuity and change in lithic technologies and economic strategies; however, results remained preliminary owing to uncertainties about site disturbance. This paper presents results from a second field season of excavations at Dabangay. Wesuggest chronological association between emerging lithic technologies and altered subsistence practices. Large marine vertebrate bone (present in small quantities from initial settlement), increased after 4200 years ago coincident with increased preference for production of quartz bipolar flakes. A further development after 1800-1600 years ago involved a substantial increase in large and small marine vertebrates and a further increase in the ratio of quartz to igneous lithics.
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Journal Title
Queensland Archaeological Research
Volume
16
Copyright Statement
© The Author(s) 2013. The attached file is reproduced here in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher. For information about this journal please refer to the journal’s website or contact the authors.
Subject
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Archaeology
Archaeology