Ground-penetrating radar and burial practices in western Arnhem Land, Australia

Article

Lowe, Kelsey M., Wallis, Lynley A., Pardoe, Colin, Marwick, Ben, Clarkson, Chris, Manne, Tiina, Smith, Mike A. and Fullagar, Richard. 2014. "Ground-penetrating radar and burial practices in western Arnhem Land, Australia." Archaeology in Oceania. 49 (3), pp. 148-157. https://doi.org/10.1002/arco.5039
Article Title

Ground-penetrating radar and burial practices in western Arnhem Land, Australia

ERA Journal ID7916
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsLowe, Kelsey M. (Author), Wallis, Lynley A. (Author), Pardoe, Colin (Author), Marwick, Ben (Author), Clarkson, Chris (Author), Manne, Tiina (Author), Smith, Mike A. (Author) and Fullagar, Richard (Author)
Journal TitleArchaeology in Oceania
Journal Citation49 (3), pp. 148-157
Number of Pages10
Year2014
Place of PublicationAustralia
ISSN0003-8121
1834-4453
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1002/arco.5039
Web Address (URL)http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/arco.5039/abstract?systemMessage=Wiley+Online+Library+will+be+unavailable+on+Saturday+01st+July+from+03.00-09.00+EDT+and+on+Sunday+2nd+July+03.00-06.00+EDT+for+essential+maintenance.++Apologies+for+the+inconvenie
Abstract

A GPR survey was carried out in advance of archaeological excavations at Madjedbebe (formerly known as Malakunanja II), a sandstone rock shelter in western Arnhem Land (Australia) containing numerous Aboriginal burials. GPR revealed subsurface patterning of rocks in the shelter deposits and archaeological excavation demonstrated that these were related to burials. Post-excavation, GIS and statistical analysis further elucidated the relationship between the rocks and human burials. This integration of detailed mapping, GPR and excavation afforded the opportunity to test a way to identify unmarked burials using GPR in sandstone rock shelters and to document a marker for burial identification in this region. Application of the methodology developed through this case study provides a useful management tool for Indigenous communities and other heritage practitioners.

KeywordsArnhem Land; burial practices; GIS; ground-penetrating radar; Indigenous communities;
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020450101. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander archaeology
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Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Queensland
Australian National University
University of Washington, United States
National Museum of Australia, Australia
University of Wollongong
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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