Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/17688
Title: The Brremangurey pearl: A 2000 year old archaeological find from the coastal Kimberley, Western Australia
Contributor(s): Szabo, Katherine (author); Koppel, Brent (author); Moore, Mark  (author)orcid ; Young, Iain  (author); Tighe, Matthew  (author); Morwood, Michael J  (author)
Publication Date: 2015
Open Access: Yes
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/17688
Open Access Link: http://ro.uow.edu.au/smhpapers/2891/Open Access Link
Abstract: A small marine pearl was recovered at the Brremangurey rockshelter, on the Kimberley coast, from layers dating to approximately 2000 years ago. In an area famous for its pearls and history of cultured pearl production, public interest centred on whether the pearl was as old as the layer in which it was contained, or whether it was a recent cultured pearl that had infiltrated down from above. The near-spherical shape of the pearl hinted at a possible cultured origin. Owing to the uniqueness and historic cultural significance of this find, non-invasive analytical techniques were used to investigate whether the Brremangurey pearl was cultured or natural. Midden analysis was further used to assess the likely origin of the pearl within the stratified deposits. Analysis confirmed that the pearl is of natural origin and a dense midden lens of 'Pinctada albina' shells is its likely origin.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Grant Details: ARC/LP0991845
Source of Publication: Australian Archaeology, v.80, p. 112-115
Publisher: Australian Archaeological Association Inc
Place of Publication: Australia
ISSN: 2470-0363
0312-2417
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 210104 Archaeology of Australia (excl Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander)
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 430103 Archaeology of Australia (excl. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander)
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 950303 Conserving Collections and Movable Cultural Heritage
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 130402 Conserving collections and movable cultural heritage
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science

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