Abstract

Technological innovation is a hallmark of human responsiveness, adaption and migration. Innovation in times of stress, risk and change has been thoroughly studied throughout the field of human evolution and archaeology, however, the lack of innovation in an absence of external stimuli has not been as thoroughly looked at. Timor-Leste lies at the far eastern edge of the Wallacean Archipelago on the doorstep to the greater continental shelf of Sahul. The distinctive biogeographical nature of this region creates a unique and relatively depauperate biome. This presents unique obstacles and subsistence opportunities for animals and the early human colonists. The stone technologies which currently define the Wallacean Archipelago are a seemingly enduring and informal toolkit. On Timor-Leste, with the long-term exploitation of osseous materials being used for complex technologies, questions remain regarding the nature of the stagnated stone technologies in the face of climatic and demographic pressures. This paper looks to investigate the absence technological innovation over 42kya of occupation at the lacustral site of Matja Kuru 2, Timor-Leste.

About the presenter

Tierney Lu is a PhD student within the School of Social Sciences at The University of Queensland. Tierney’s interests are in lithic technologies and technological organisation and human dispersal. She has worked in Australia and abroad on projects in France and Mongolia, as well as her PhD research investigating technological organisation, adaptation and innovation in Timor-Leste.

About Archaeology Working Papers

The Working Papers in Archaeology seminar series provides a forum for dissemination of archaeological research and ideas amongst UQ archaeology students and staff. All students are invited to attend the series and postgraduate students, from honours upwards, are invited to present their research. The aim is to provide opportunities for students, staff and those from outside UQ, to present and discuss their work in an informal environment. It is hoped that anyone interested in current archaeological directions, both within and outside the School and University, will be able to attend and contribute to the series.