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Watura Jurnti: A 42000–45000‐year‐long occupation sequence from the north‐eastern Pilbara
Author(s) -
MARSH MICHAEL,
HISCOCK PETER,
WILLIAMS DOUGLAS,
HUGHES PHILIP,
SULLIVAN MARJORIE
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
archaeology in oceania
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1834-4453
pISSN - 0728-4896
DOI - 10.1002/arco.5152
Subject(s) - arid , ridge , assemblage (archaeology) , geography , geology , ecology , archaeology , paleontology , physical geography , biology
Watura Jurnti (DAA #6287) was first occupied in 42000–45000 BP, with evidence of occupation continuing through the arid LGM and deglacial period to c.15000 BP. There was a very pronounced reduction in both occupation and deposition between c.15000 and 1500 BP. The small size and nature of the stone artefact assemblage indicates that use of the shelter has been intermittent and non‐intensive throughout most of the past 42–45 ka. Watura Jurnti is on an isolated ridge on the northern margin of the Pilbara and its occupational history shows that the more marginal areas of the arid zone, including the sandy and stony deserts of adjacent to the northern Pilbara, were subject to intermittent visitation before, during and after the LGM.