Archaeologists have uncovered new evidence of Aboriginal activity beneath the waters of north-western Australia, revealing how ancient communities occupied and utilised landscapes that were submerged by rising sea levels following the last Ice Age.
The discoveries, made in the Murujuga region of Western Australia, include stone artefacts associated with an ancient freshwater spring and a rocky hill overlooking a former river channel.
Published in the journal Quaternary Science Reviews, the study provides further evidence that Australia's submerged continental shelf preserves an extensive archaeological record of Aboriginal occupation.
The findings also indicate that previously identified underwater archaeological sites at Murujuga are part of a wider cultural landscape, rather than isolated discoveries.
Although the sites were submerged at least 9,000 years ago, researchers suggest that the artefacts may be considerably older.
Following the last Ice Age, rising sea levels submerged more than two million square kilometres of Australia's continental shelf, inundating landscapes that had been occupied by Aboriginal communities for thousands of years.
The newly documented sites represent two distinct locations within this former terrestrial environment.
One is associated with a freshwater spring, which would have provided an important resource for communities inhabiting the region. The second is situated near a rocky hill overlooking an ancient river channel, indicating how different geographical features were utilised before the landscape was inundated.
Analysis of the stone artefacts suggests that some were manufactured using raw materials sourced from the vicinity of Rosemary Island, approximately 23 kilometres from their discovery location.
According to the researchers, this provides evidence for the deliberate selection and transportation of stone materials across a landscape that now lies beneath the seabed.
The research was undertaken by archaeologists from Flinders University, the University of Western Australia, James Cook University and the University of York, in collaboration with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation.
Murujuga Rangers Malik Churnside and Richard Variakojis received scientific diving training and participated in underwater surveys, contributing directly to the identification and documentation of archaeological material.
Professor Jonathan Benjamin, a marine archaeology specialist at Flinders University and lead author of the study, said: “The collaboration demonstrates the value of working beside trained Indigenous Rangers who actively contributed to this challenging scientific research.”
Vincent Adams, Director of the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, said the discoveries demonstrate the extent of the region's cultural landscape beyond its present-day coastline.
“The Ngarda-Ngarli people have cared for Murujuga for at least 50,000 years. What this research shows is that our cultural landscape extends far beyond the shoreline and into Sea Country, where important parts of our story remain preserved beneath the sea,” said Adams.
The discoveries are particularly significant following Murujuga's inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List, highlighting the importance of identifying and protecting archaeological heritage within submerged areas of the region.
Flinders University PhD candidate Louise Brooke emphasised the contribution of Indigenous Rangers to the research, noting that their knowledge and connection to Country were essential to investigating Murujuga's submerged cultural landscapes.
The study builds upon earlier discoveries reported in 2020 and 2023 by the Deep History of Sea Country project, which identified evidence of Aboriginal occupation on Australia's submerged continental shelf.
Researchers suggest that further investigations could reveal additional archaeological sites, providing new insights into prehistoric settlement patterns, resource transportation and the relationship between ancient communities and their changing environments.
“These landscapes did not simply disappear when they were flooded,” said Professor Benjamin.
“They remain part of Country and continue to preserve evidence of people’s lives, knowledge, and connection to place. We are only beginning to understand the scale and significance of Australia’s submerged cultural heritage. Each new discovery helps reveal another chapter of Australia’s deep human story.”
The findings highlight the archaeological potential of Australia's submerged landscapes and the importance of incorporating Indigenous knowledge into the investigation and protection of underwater cultural heritage.
Sources : Quaternary Science Reviews