13.10.4
How did Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians
use coastal environments? Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have lived in coastal environments for at least 65 000 years, managing both their resources and the environment. Despite changes to Australia’s coasts, archaeological evidence of these practices remains. Thousands of shell middens are scattered across coastal environments, providing an insight into how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples lived. Carbon dating is used to determine the age of these shell middens. Victoria’s oldest shell midden, located at Cape Bridgewater, is more than 12 000 years old. These middens, typically found in scrublands behind dunes, contain remains of shellfish, bones, stone tools, ash and charcoal, suggesting food storage and cooking. They serve as tangible links to history and culture, particularly where other heritage evidence is scarce. These are fragile sites in dynamic locations, so protecting their historical and cultural significance is essential.
SkillBuilder discussion Geographical inquiry 1. Look at FIGURE4 .What can you see in this shell midden? 2. What does this suggest about the diet of the people who lived here thousands of years ago?
FIGURE4 Shell midden on the Tarkine coast, Tasmania
13.10 SkillBuilder activity GEOGRAPHICAL INQUIRY Shell middens are one example of a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander archaeological site. Use the Internet to find another example of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander archaeological site in Australia. Identify and describe the site and explain why it is historically and culturally significant.
334 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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