Shocking discovery inside one of Australia's oldest Ice Age caves dating back over 20,000 years
Scientists uncovered Ice Age artefacts deep inside Dargan Shelter - a cave 1,100metres above sea level in NSW 's Blue Mountains region - challenging long-held assumptions about ancient human life in Australia.
Dargan Shelter is now believed to be the oldest site at high elevation with evidence of repeated human activity and adaption to environments on the Australian continent.
The cave is around 25metres high, 22metres wide and about 20metres deep.
Up to 693 stone artefacts were found including stone tools and a sandstone grinding slab that may have been used for shaping wooden items or bone points for spears.
The discoveries dated as far back as 20,000 years and were unearthed after the team dug more than two metres down into the frozen layers of the site.
Archaeologists from the Australian Museum, the University of Sydney and the Australian National University, along with First Nations community members, led three digs between April 2022 and March 2023.
Gomeroi knowledge holder and First Nations mentor in archaeology at the University of Sydney, Wayne Brennan, initiated the research project.
The discovery proved First Nations ancestors navigated and occupied high-altitude environments during the Ice Age, Mr Brennan and Australian Museum Archeologist and lead author of the research paper Dr Amy Mosig Way, said.
'Until now, we thought the Australian high country was too difficult to occupy during the last Ice Age,' Dr Way wrote in a newsletter for the University of Sydney.
'Yet, despite the harsh conditions, our research demonstrates people were moving in and through this high elevation landscape, which is approximately 400metres above the tree line.'
The artefacts had been kept in an 'excellent state of preservation', with the team measuring the pieces against the date of charcoal from old firepits buried at the same level to estimate the age of each item.
With this method, the scientists were able to determine the sandstone grinding slab, which had linear grooves, had been used more than 13,000 years ago.
Researchers also found a stone believed to have been used as an axe.
Analysis proved the piece of basalt was used to crack open hard seeds or nuts dating back to about 9,000 years ago.
First Nations custodians and proud Dharug women, Leanne Watson Redpath and Erin Wilkins said the discovery symbolised a tangible connection to their ancestors.
Ms Wilkins said while there was no way of identifying which groups accessed the site during the Ice Age, it was likely multiple groups frequented the cave.
She added local custodians consider the Dargan Shelter as representing a family space with 'high cultural significance'.
Mr Brennan said he hoped the discovery would help protect First Nations people's cultural heritage.
'The Blue Mountains is a UNESCO World Heritage listed site for the protection of flora and fauna but there are no safeguards for our cultural heritage, he said.
'We hope that by combining our traditional knowledge with scientific research, we can protect these invaluable storehouses of our history for generations to come.'
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