Open AccessThe Pleistocene Peopling of Greater Australia: A Re-examination
Author(s) -
Grant D. Zazula
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of anthropology at mcmaster
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 0707-3771
DOI - 10.15173/nexus.v14i1.175
Subject(s) - radiocarbon dating , pleistocene , cave , prehistory , archaeology , thermoluminescence dating , settlement (finance) , geology , geography , paleontology , physical geography , world wide web , computer science , payment
The problem concerning the initial Pleistocene peopling of Australasia is reviewed in light of recent findings that suggest this settlement may be earlier than the conventional view of 35,000 to 40,000 BP. Methods including anthropogenically interpreted paleoecological changes and the application of luminescence dating techniques clearly suggest people settled this continent earlier than the applicable limits of conventional radiocarbon analysis. Early luminescence ages at the Ngarrabullgan Cave (David et al. 1997), Malakunanja II (Roberts et al. 1994), Nauwalabila I (Roberts et al. 1994), and Jinmium (Fullagar et al. 1996) clearly indicate that the initial phase of Australian prehistory must be re-examined and radiocarbon ages may no longer be an applicable methodology utilized to obtain ages for the initial settlement of Australia.