The timing and use of offshore islands in the Great Barrier Reef Marine Province, Queensland

Abstract

Archaeological research on islands of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Province (GBRMP) only commenced in the mid-to-late 1970s. Initial research was exploratory and restricted in scope. Recent research on a limited number of island groups has been more focussed. Despite the large area and numerous islands some significant issues have been identified in respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander use of the area.We review these issues here and also highlight others requiring ongoing investigation. In particular we focus on the extent of Pleistocene and Holocene environmental change within the GBRMP and how this affected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander use of the islands. While our emphasis is on environmental factors we do not consider them the sole cause of change in the archaeological record or in human responses. We also address what role population change, culture contact, economic adaptation, insularity and other factors played in the complex interplay of environment and human adaptation in the GBRMP.