Rock Art Australia are partnering on an exciting new Australian Research Council linkage project: ‘Before and after the Last Ice Age: GunaiKurnai archaeology along the Snowy’ commencing in July 2024.
This 5-year project based in the Snowy River region of Gippsland Victoria, aims to reveal the rich Aboriginal history of GunaiKurnai Country, by excavating a network of sites dating back to >52,000 years. This project expects to generate new knowledge in archaeology and palaeoclimatology through partnership research in Gunaikurnai Country.
This project aims to transform how this landscape is understood by uncovering new information about superbly preserved ancient artefacts, including ancient DNA and buried 12,200 year-old ritual structures with wooden artefacts. These are among the longest archaeologically traced continuous ritual sites and items of material culture anywhere in the world, and the oldest known wooden artefacts in Australia. It also aims to better understand the use of deep caves and open landscapes, and economic strategies dating back to the Last Ice Age.
Project partners include Monash University, Gunaikurnai Land & Waters Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC, the University of Queensland, the University of Adelaide, the University of Melbourne, the University of Waikato, the University of New England, the University of Savoy, and Rock Art Australia.
Your support would be greatly appreciated!
