On the shores of Jiigurru/Lizard Island, just off the Queensland coast, a groundbreaking discovery has reshaped our understanding of Aboriginal history in Australia. Uncovered during an archaeological excavation led by the Australian Research Council Center of Excellence for Australian Biodiversity and Heritage (CABAH), in collaboration with the Dingaal and Ngurrumungu Aboriginal communities, this find challenges long-held beliefs about pre-European Aboriginal cultures.
Distinguished Professor Sean Ulm, leading the excavation team, unveils the significance: beneath layers of earth, remnants of a vibrant past emerged. Amidst a 2.4-meter-deep midden, remnants dating back over 6,000 years spoke of a thriving community sustained by the bounty of the land and sea. Yet, it was what lay less than a meter below the surface that captured the world's attention - dozens of pottery shards, dated between 2,000 and 3,000 years old, marking the oldest pottery ever found in Australia.
Published in Quaternary Science Reviews, the revelation challenges the notion of Aboriginal communities' unawareness of pottery before European arrival. Professor Ulm points to geological analyses indicating local production, utilizing clays and tempers sourced from Jiigurru. Remarkably, the pottery's age aligns with the era of Lapita pottery production in southern Papua New Guinea, suggesting intricate cultural exchanges predating British colonization.
Kenneth McLean, representing the Dingaal clan, reflects on the unprecedented collaboration between archaeologists and traditional owners, a partnership transcending boundaries to share stories and knowledge, nurturing a deeper understanding of their shared heritage. Ngurrumungu Elder Brian Cobus echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of such research endeavors in illuminating the essence of their ancestral lands.
Professor Ulm emphasizes the maritime prowess of ancient First Nations communities, underscoring extensive trading networks spanning the Coral Sea. Drawing on advanced canoe voyaging and navigation skills, these communities engaged in far-reaching exchanges of technology, goods, and ideas, with pottery emerging as a tangible testament to their ingenuity.
Professor Ian McNiven of Monash University underscores the broader implications of this discovery, transcending disciplinary boundaries to redefine narratives of Indigenous history. Jiigurru stands as a testament to the interconnectedness of Australian and Melanesian cultures, forming the cornerstone of the Coral Sea Cultural Interaction Sphere.
In uncovering the oldest pottery in Australia, this landmark discovery not only enriches our understanding of the past but also reaffirms the resilience, innovation, and interconnectedness of Indigenous communities across the ages.
