Prehistoric Aboriginal Fauna Exploitation: The Evaluation of a Foraging Theory Model using Geographic Information System Analysis of Archaeological Faunal Remains

Abstract

<p>This research examines distributions of marsupial species and the spatial relationships of their resources that influence prehistoric Australian Aboriginal people's acquisition of them. Previous research within the Central Queensland Highlands suggested ceremonial, religious, and Macrozamia nut processing were the primary activities undertaken by prehistoric Aboriginal people occupying examined archaeological sites. This suggestion implies that mammal acquisition activities were a secondary priority. To test this implication, a faunal analysis of an excavated assemblage from Cathedral Cave in Carnarvon Gorge (Qld.) was analysed to identify the range of marsupial species and their potential exploitation scenario. Examination of the faunal assemblage identified the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby (<i>Petrogale pencillata</i>) as the dominant species acquired.</p><p> A second analysis employing geographic information systems (GIS) examined spatial relationships for the marsupial species and their known resources. This analysis included marsupial species identified from previous research in addition to those identified in the faunal analysis. GIS analysis identified three potential acquisition patterns based on spatial relationships affecting marsupial resource distributions. These three acquisition patterns would have produced different species assemblages from that identified in the archaeological faunal analysis. Conclusions drawn from comparing fauna and GIS analyses are three-fold: <ol> <li>Aboriginal people's exploitation of species abundance and behaviour patterns</li> overcame the influence of the distribution of the species' own resources, <li>Modified chance encounters with less abundant and/or accessible species supplemented predictable species acquired, and</li> <li>As primary activities permitted, exotic species were acquired.</li> </ol> These conclusions provide some insight into the complexity of prehistoric Aboriginal people's fauna acquisition activities in relation to their participation in other activities.</p>