A groundbreaking project led by Dr. John McCarthy has uncovered two submerged Aboriginal archaeological sites off the coast of the Burrup Peninsula in Western Australia. That important find got its start in 2019. Archaeologists now hope to find artefacts that are as much as 65,000 years old, shedding new light on the lives of the continent’s earliest inhabitants. This wonderful project recently hit a thrilling milestone! This year, we’ve introduced an exciting new tool to help us explore – a remotely operated underwater drone (ROV).
This is why the spatial context of these submerged sites is so critical. Dr. McCarthy is convinced that many important sites very likely exist around the continent’s edge. This highlights the need to map out these areas for permanent conservation for future generations to enjoy. Just earlier this month, the Murujuga Cultural Landscape — that encompasses the Burrup Peninsula’s archaeological record — received World Heritage status from the United Nations. This honor deepens the appreciation for the site’s extraordinary cultural and historical importance.
Discoveries Beneath the Waves
Since taking on this project, Dr. McCarthy’s research team has made some truly extraordinary discoveries. Stone tools that were once used for hunting, tool crafting and cultural ceremonial purposes. These artefacts create a direct link to Australia’s deep past and are an invaluable source of knowledge regarding Aboriginal culture.
Vincent Adams, a Yindjibarndi man, is president of the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation. He has done heroic work in classifying these artefacts. He noted, “When they bring this up from under water, we can see that this is history from here, culture from here.” Adams further reflected on how significant these discoveries have been to her own people in validating the oral traditions that they have carried for generations.
For Ngarluma man and Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation ranger, Caleb Pitt-Cook, 24, each archaeological find has been vindicating. Every discovery strengthens his bond to his culture and ancestry. He reflected on the significance of these findings, stating, “It’s just like evidence and a connection to something they’ve talked about and sung about for such a long time.”
The Role of Modern Technology
The new use of the ROV is one of the most important steps forward in the project’s methodology. This groundbreaking technology allows researchers to investigate life in extreme underwater environments with unprecedented accuracy. As a consequence, they are able to retrieve artefacts that otherwise would remain buried forever.
On the Scuba Crews dives, Dr. McCarthy tweeted that they are already planning more this year. For the interns, these deep dives will help them better understand the expansive submerged landscapes. He said understanding and mapping where the sites are is necessary to ensure they’re protected from emerging threats, specifically those posed by industrial development.
World authority on submerged landscapes, Professor Geoff Bailey, urges the need for solid information. This expertise is essential for guiding the industry through the as-yet-unknown history lurking under the Burrup Peninsula. Now more than ever, scientists and Indigenous communities are working together to protect cultural heritage. This partnership is a great step towards sustainable development.
Cultural Significance and Future Prospects
The cultural ramifications of these finds go beyond just archaeological preservation. The region’s Indigenous stewards, the Murujuga people, refer to the peninsula as Murujuga. For them, these discoveries constitute a vivid re-affirmation of their culture and profound relationship to the land.
Caleb Pitt-Cook articulated this sentiment beautifully, noting that “Our culture is an oral-based tradition so it’s all passed down through generations of speaking, songs and teaching.” He acknowledged the skepticism surrounding Aboriginal oral traditions due to a lack of written records but believes that these findings validate their historical narratives.
As former DOE official Vincent Adams explained, public expectations of today’s technology are very different from when other innovations were introduced. He stated, “A lot of people are really sceptical because we don’t have anything written down on paper,” likening it to initial fears surrounding mobile phones two decades ago. His remarks speak to a wider challenge that Indigenous communities around the country experience in having their historical accounts recognized, bringing the story home to Washington state.
