A groundbreaking collaboration between Indigenous rangers and archaeologists in Western Australia is shedding new light on Australia's ancient past, revealing previously submerged Aboriginal archaeological sites and thousands of artifacts. This pioneering work, part of the "Deep History of Sea Country Project," is transforming our understanding of the continent's early inhabitants and the landscapes they once thrived in.
For much of Australia's human history, global sea levels were significantly lower, exposing vast coastal plains that are now submerged. As the last ice age ended and sea levels rose, an estimated 2.12 million square kilometers of land on Australia's continental shelf were inundated. This meant that countless generations of Aboriginal people lived on lands that are now underwater, making the discovery of their heritage crucial to understanding their history and connection to "Sea Country."
The "Deep History of Sea Country Project" has focused its efforts off the Pilbara coast in Western Australia, particularly around the Dampier Archipelago. Utilizing advanced remote sensing technology, including laser scanners mounted on planes and high-resolution sonar towed by boats, researchers have meticulously mapped the seabed to identify potential heritage sites.
Scientific divers then followed these maps, leading to remarkable discoveries. At Cape Bruguieres, hundreds of stone artifacts, including grinding stones, were found on the seabed at depths of up to 2.4 meters. A second significant site in Flying Foam Passage revealed traces of human activity associated with a submerged freshwater spring, 14 meters below sea level, including a confirmed stone cutting tool. Radiocarbon dating and environmental data indicate these sites are over 7,000 years old, dating back to a time when these areas were dry land.
The Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation (MAC) has been a core collaborator in this project, with their Council of Elders and Land and Sea Rangers Unit playing a vital role. Peter Jeffries, chief executive of MAC, emphasized the importance of these discoveries in unlocking missing links in the region's rich cultural heritage, with artifacts potentially dating back more than 8,500 years.
These findings not only confirm the existence of ancient Indigenous sites preserved underwater but also underscore the need for stronger heritage protection. Currently, Australian federal laws prioritize non-Indigenous submerged heritage, leaving ancient Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sites vulnerable. Researchers and Indigenous communities are advocating for policy changes to ensure the careful management and protection of Aboriginal "Sea Country."
This ongoing research promises to uncover more artifacts in the future, providing a more complete account of Australia's human past and highlighting the deep, enduring connection Indigenous Australians have to their ancestral lands, both above and below the waves.
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