'On the brink of a fever stricken swamp': culturally modified trees and land-people relationships at Lower Laura (Boralga) Native Mounted Police camp, Cape York Peninsula
Article
Article Title | 'On the brink of a fever stricken swamp': culturally modified trees and land-people relationships at Lower Laura (Boralga) Native Mounted Police camp, Cape York Peninsula |
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ERA Journal ID | 7963 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Cole, N. (Author), Wallis, L.A. (Author), Burke, H. (Author), Barker, B. (Author) and Rinyirru Aboriginal Corporation, . (Author) |
Journal Title | Australian Archaeology |
Journal Citation | 86 (1), pp. 21-36 |
Number of Pages | 16 |
Year | 2020 |
Publisher | Taylor & Francis |
Place of Publication | Australia |
ISSN | 0312-2417 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/03122417.2020.1749371 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03122417.2020.1749371 |
Abstract | The archaeological record of Lower Laura (aka Boralga) Native Mounted Police camp, a longstanding base for Queensland’s frontier war in Cape York Peninsula, includes a diverse assemblage of culturally modified Erythophleum chlorastychys (Cooktown ironwood) trees. Analysis of cultural scar attributes and tool marks – which were found to be variously associated with Aboriginal stone tools, tomahawks of different types, and long handled axes – reveals a scenario of nineteenth century land use and technology that transcends the pre-conflict era of Aboriginal clan estates. As well as reflecting traditional patterns of Aboriginal tenure of prime waterfront land, the assemblage reveals innovations that occurred in Aboriginal technology in the lead-up to war. However, an unusual style of cultural scar cut using long handled axes appears to signal transformations in demography and land use following Native Mounted Police occupation. By integrating historical, oral history, spatial, typological, and botanical data this study provides evidence of demographic and environmental changes set in train by the gold-rush invasion. It also highlights the complexities of documenting Cooktown ironwood trees of advanced age and their fragile, deteriorating cultural modifications. |
Keywords | Culturally; modified; Cooktown ironwood trees |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 450101. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander archaeology |
Byline Affiliations | James Cook University |
University of Notre Dame Australia | |
Flinders University | |
School of Arts and Communication | |
Rinyirru Aboriginal Corporation, Australia | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
Funding source | Australian Research Council (ARC) Grant ID DP160100307 |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q5v62/-on-the-brink-of-a-fever-stricken-swamp-culturally-modified-trees-and-land-people-relationships-at-lower-laura-boralga-native-mounted-police-camp-cape-york-peninsula
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