Kabadul Kula and the antiquity of Torres Strait rock art

Ian J. McNiven; Liam M. Brady; Anthony J. Barham

doi:10.1080/03122417.2009.11681899

Kabadul Kula and the antiquity of Torres Strait rock art

Ian J. McNiven, Liam M. Brady, Anthony J. Barham

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Excavations directly below a painted panel at Kabadul Kula rock art site on the island of Dauan, northern Torres Strait, revealed buried fragments of ochre pigment to a depth of 59cm. A series of AMS ¹⁴C dates indicate that most of the ochres and all pieces of facetted ochre were deposited between 1200 and 1400 years ago. Located in a moist tropical environment where the potential for erosion and bioturbation is high, the stratigraphic integrity of the deposit was tested by micromorphological analysis of sediments. Assessment of vertical changes in the size of stone artefacts and sediment particle sizes suggest strongly that this restricted timeframe for ochre use is reliable and not a taphonomic illusion created by post-depositional disturbance. These in situ ochres are associated with an early phase of painting at the site and represent the oldest dates currently available for Torres Strait rock art.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	29-40
Number of pages	12
Journal	Australian Archaeology
Volume	69
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/03122417.2009.11681899
Publication status	Published - Dec 2009

Access to Document

10.1080/03122417.2009.11681899

Cite this

@article{38750945945e4a418928f8151f0dee70,

title = "Kabadul Kula and the antiquity of Torres Strait rock art",

abstract = "Excavations directly below a painted panel at Kabadul Kula rock art site on the island of Dauan, northern Torres Strait, revealed buried fragments of ochre pigment to a depth of 59cm. A series of AMS 14C dates indicate that most of the ochres and all pieces of facetted ochre were deposited between 1200 and 1400 years ago. Located in a moist tropical environment where the potential for erosion and bioturbation is high, the stratigraphic integrity of the deposit was tested by micromorphological analysis of sediments. Assessment of vertical changes in the size of stone artefacts and sediment particle sizes suggest strongly that this restricted timeframe for ochre use is reliable and not a taphonomic illusion created by post-depositional disturbance. These in situ ochres are associated with an early phase of painting at the site and represent the oldest dates currently available for Torres Strait rock art.",

author = "McNiven, {Ian J.} and Brady, {Liam M.} and Barham, {Anthony J.}",

year = "2009",

month = dec,

doi = "10.1080/03122417.2009.11681899",

language = "English",

volume = "69",

pages = "29--40",

journal = "Australian Archaeology",

issn = "0312-2417",

publisher = "Taylor and Francis Ltd.",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Kabadul Kula and the antiquity of Torres Strait rock art

AU - McNiven, Ian J.

AU - Brady, Liam M.

AU - Barham, Anthony J.

PY - 2009/12

Y1 - 2009/12

N2 - Excavations directly below a painted panel at Kabadul Kula rock art site on the island of Dauan, northern Torres Strait, revealed buried fragments of ochre pigment to a depth of 59cm. A series of AMS 14C dates indicate that most of the ochres and all pieces of facetted ochre were deposited between 1200 and 1400 years ago. Located in a moist tropical environment where the potential for erosion and bioturbation is high, the stratigraphic integrity of the deposit was tested by micromorphological analysis of sediments. Assessment of vertical changes in the size of stone artefacts and sediment particle sizes suggest strongly that this restricted timeframe for ochre use is reliable and not a taphonomic illusion created by post-depositional disturbance. These in situ ochres are associated with an early phase of painting at the site and represent the oldest dates currently available for Torres Strait rock art.

AB - Excavations directly below a painted panel at Kabadul Kula rock art site on the island of Dauan, northern Torres Strait, revealed buried fragments of ochre pigment to a depth of 59cm. A series of AMS 14C dates indicate that most of the ochres and all pieces of facetted ochre were deposited between 1200 and 1400 years ago. Located in a moist tropical environment where the potential for erosion and bioturbation is high, the stratigraphic integrity of the deposit was tested by micromorphological analysis of sediments. Assessment of vertical changes in the size of stone artefacts and sediment particle sizes suggest strongly that this restricted timeframe for ochre use is reliable and not a taphonomic illusion created by post-depositional disturbance. These in situ ochres are associated with an early phase of painting at the site and represent the oldest dates currently available for Torres Strait rock art.

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77249121186&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/03122417.2009.11681899

DO - 10.1080/03122417.2009.11681899

M3 - Review article

SN - 0312-2417

VL - 69

SP - 29

EP - 40

JO - Australian Archaeology

JF - Australian Archaeology

ER -

Kabadul Kula and the antiquity of Torres Strait rock art

Abstract

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Cite this