Underwater sites reveal ancient life off WA coast
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Archaeologists and Indigenous rangers in Western Australia’s Pilbara region discovered two underwater archaeological sites off the Burrup Peninsula, also known as Murujuga, 1,250 kilometers north of Perth.
The team found more than 20 stone artefacts at the sites, which were submerged between 9,000 and 10,000 years ago when sea levels rose after the last ice age.
Researchers determined that people transported tools across the landscape, sometimes from as far as 20 to 25 kilometers away, and carefully selected materials based on preference. Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation rangers Malik Churnside and Richard Variakojis participated in the research and co-authored the published paper. They connected the discoveries to existing songlines describing now-submerged freshwater springs, emphasizing the importance of including traditional knowledge in scientific projects.
The rangers and Flinders University lead researcher Jonathan Benjamin shared knowledge during the dives, creating a collaborative environment. Audrey Cosmos, deputy chair of the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, highlighted the value of training rangers to identify underwater artefacts. Professor Benjamin anticipates that the area will become a major center for underwater archaeology, potentially holding thousands of undiscovered sites. The discoveries underscore the cultural importance of the Pilbara region, which also hosts oil and gas industrial development.
