Archaeological Evidence Reveals the Continuity of Ice Age Rituals Among Australian Indigenous Peoples

Research Background

This study aims to explore the possibility of tracing traditional rituals in Indigenous societies through archaeological means. In societies without written records, ethnographic knowledge spanning more than a few hundred years is rarely validated through archaeological methods. Invited by the Gunaikurnai elders, the research team conducted an archaeological excavation at Cloggs Cave in the Australian Alps. In the Gunaikurnai region, the cave was not used for habitation during the mid-19th century colonial period but served as a secluded place for Indigenous healers and women to perform rituals. Through the excavation of Cloggs Cave, archaeologists discovered miniature fireplaces and trimmed wooden artifacts dating back to the end of the Ice Age, approximately 11,000 to 12,000 years ago, which correspond to the ritual apparatus described in 19th-century ethnographic records of the Gunaikurnai. This finding indicates that a ritual practice documented in ethnographic records has been passed down for 500 generations, originating from the end of the Ice Age.

Research Origin

This study was jointly conducted by authors Bruno David, Russell Mullett, Nathan Wright, Birgitta Stephenson, Jeremy Ash, Joanna Fresløv, and others, with the participation of the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation. The research results were published in the journal “Nature Human Behaviour,” with the publication date yet to be determined. The team members are from various research institutions, including Monash University and other related research centers.

Research Methods

The research methods included detailed archaeological excavation of the site at Cloggs Cave and scientific analysis of the artifacts in the laboratory. Special attention was given to controlling experimental conditions and adopting sterile procedures to ensure the accurate analysis of wooden artifacts and mustard samples. Anatomical analysis of the wooden artifacts was conducted to determine their types, and scanning electron microscopy and mass spectrometry techniques were applied for the chemical analysis of residues on the surfaces of the wooden artifacts. Bayesian modeling was used to analyze the radiocarbon dating results to establish the age of the site.

Research Results

Archaeologists discovered two miniature fireplaces in Cloggs Cave, each containing a stick with one end slightly charred, suggesting they were briefly placed in a low-temperature fire. Anatomical and chemical analyses indicated that these sticks were made from one of two species of Australian alder, and confirmed that the stick surfaces contained animal or human fat, consistent with the ritual practices recorded in ethnographic documents. Furthermore, the site did not contain significant animal food remains, indicating that these fires were used for specific ritual activities rather than daily cooking or heating.

Research Conclusions and Significance

The study provides strong evidence that cultural traditions can survive for thousands of years without modern influence and replication. The wooden artifacts and their association with fire, along with the ethnographic evidence of the Gunaikurnai, collectively demonstrate the continuity of a cultural tradition for over 12,000 years. The research emphasizes that these artifacts are not merely memories of distant ancestral behaviors but the result of knowledge passed down almost unchanged from generation to generation.

Research Highlights

This study focuses on the long-term transmission of Indigenous Australian rituals, involving wooden artifacts that may be the oldest known in Australia. It offers a new perspective on understanding how cultural traditions are sustained and transmitted through material cultural practices in non-literate societies. The findings also contribute to a deeper understanding of the invisible heritage of Gunaikurnai social history and culture.

The study exemplifies the application of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative technologies in the research of Indigenous cultures and underscores the importance of partnering with Indigenous communities in cultural heritage research. This collaborative research not only reveals the persistence of Indigenous traditional knowledge but also showcases the integration of scientific research with Indigenous cultural bonds.