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30,000 years of fishery in western New South Wales
Author(s) -
Balme Jane
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
archaeology in oceania
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1834-4453
pISSN - 0728-4896
DOI - 10.1002/j.1834-4453.1995.tb00324.x
Subject(s) - midden , archaeology , pleistocene , fauna , geography , range (aeronautics) , foraging , holocene , fishery , ecology , biology , materials science , composite material
Two hundred and sixteen open midden sites from the lower Darling River area of western NSW demonstrate that people have fished for many aquatic resources in diverse hydrological environments since about 30,000 years ago. Some of the earliest of these sites, which have been interpreted as single foraging expeditions, contain evidence of highly organised food collecting strategies which at times allowed large gatherings of people. There appears to have been little change in these strategies or in the importance of the main waterways in the region since this time. However sites dating from about 7000 years ago are larger, more complex and contain a greater range of fauna. This suggests a change in camping practice resulting either from a change in economic strategy, where Pleistocene base camps were only located away from rivers and lakes, or from the development of more permanent base camps. This evidence is a regional example of adaptive and efficient exploitation in Pleistocene and Holocene Australia.