Complexity of Site (midden) Development in Late Holocene Environments of the east coast of Moreton Island

Abstract

In 1980 Robins and Stock obtained a grant to undertake a detailed geo- archaeological survey of the east coast of Moreton Island.  The aim of the survey was to document the location and detailed characteristics of in situ Midden sites.  The survey was undertaken by Andrew Border and David Neil.  During the survey 87 middens were located, and accurately surveyed in. Of these, 46 were recorded in detail, and detailed sections recorded for 28 of them. We discuss the characteristics of five of these sites to address the question ‘Are current methods of site survey adequate to record and characterise the history of archaeological  site development in sandy heathland environments?’

About the Presenters

Dr  Errol  Stock  is  a  director  of  Triple-E  Consultants.  For  almost  30  years  he  was  attached  to  Griffith  University  where  he  taught  earth  sciences  and  planning  at  the  Nathan  Campus.  Before  joining  Griffith  University  he  worked  for  12  years  on  mining  and  exploration  projects  throughout  Australia.  His  teaching,  research  and  consulting  interests  are  in  applied  geosciences,  geoarchaeology,  geosciences  heritage  assessment,  environmental  education,  and  natural  resource  management  associated  with  development  projects.  Since  retirement  he  has  continued  research  and  consulting  in  these  fields  and  working  with  colleagues  to  test  out  new  ideas  and  write  up  “stuff  in  the  files”.  Much  of  Errol’s  focus  in  geosciences  research  and  consulting  has  been  towards  understanding  dune  terrain  in  Australia  (since  1969)  and  elsewhere  in  the  world,  particularly  along  coastal  western  USA  (since  1990).  

Dr  Richard  Robins  is  a  Director  of  Everick  Heritage  Consultants  and  an  Adjunct  Senior  Research  Fellow  in  the  School  of  Social  Sciences,  University  of  Queensland.  He  has  been  director  of  Everick  Heritage  for  14  yrs.  Prior  to  that  he  was  Senior  Curator  of  Anthropology/Archaeology  at  the  Queensland  Museum  for  17  Years.  He  has  been  an  adjunct  Associate  Professor  with  the  School  of  Human  and  Environmental  Studies,  University  of  New  England,  Armidale  and  Adjunct  Professor  at  the  School  of  Australian  Studies  at  Bond  University,  Gold  Coast.His  main  research  interests  are  in  Aboriginal  and  Historical  Archaeology  and  Museums.  He  has  undertaken  extensive  archaeological  work  throughout  Queensland;  including  southeast  and  southwest  Queensland,  the  Gulf  of  Carpentaria,  Cape  York  and  Torres  Strait.