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FUTURE RESEARCH During the course of this study, it became apparent that the lack of a suitable dating technique, either relative or absolute, made the inter-site comparisons that are necessary for a regional analysis difficult. The region only possesses one raw material, Gerowie Tuff, which has the required properties for the development of an absolute dating technique of open scatter sites. The identification of Gerowie tuff at Ngarradj Warde Djobkeng and Jimede I and II indicates the possibility of trade networks, or the intergroup exchange of goods. The use and application of digital image capture and analysis software in stone implement studies, has the potential for rapid and accurate data capture and is one that should be explored. There have been several studies in the region that have addressed some of the issues of trade. These have been largely centred on western Arnhem Land (Berndt 1951; Allen & Barton 1989; Mitchell 1993), and the Katherine to Western Australian boarder (Berndt 1951). At both Jimede I & II and Ngarradj Warde Djobkeng, there are stone points in the assemblage that have been manufactured from Gerowie Tuff. Gerowie Tuff does not occur geologically near either of these sites. These exotic materials form only a small part of an assemblage, but may be indicative of cultural or trade infrastructures. A network of trade and communication routes existed in western Arnhem Land, radiating west and southwest into the floodplains of the northern rivers. One route identified as njalaidj by Berndt (1951) radiated from the Oenpelli area, southwest towards Pine Creek. Njalaidj would have provided a link between Jimede, Ngarradj Warde Djobkeng with the Gerowie Tuff dominated areas. The njalaidj trade route was only developed and established after Macassan contact (Berndt 1951; Mitchell 1993). Mulvaney (1977), as cited by Allen & Barton (1989), stated that it is necessary to differentiate between long-distance formal trading, such as njalaidj and the localised trade between cultural groups. Although njalaidj is only a recent development, it could have developed from an earlier existing localised trading network between adjacent cultural groups. Allen & Barton (1989) argue that the "durable materials which have survived, small points and exotic raw materials" are possible explained by localised trade between groups. Gerowie Tuff at Ngarradj Warde Djobkeng and Jimede are potentially one such example of inter group trade. As most of the locally available stone resources are suitable for the manufacture of stone points, there is little requirement for a substantial trade in implements. Exotic raw materials then, have had little effect on the implement variability, but is indicative of a response to resource availability. The most common archaeological site type in Australia, the stone artefact surface scatter remains difficult to date with any precision (Hiscock 1989:1). Since this statement was made there has been no technique developed that would facilitate an absolute dating technique for open scatter sites. This study has identified the potential to address this problem within the Top End. A progressive time-dependent chemical alteration of organic material (parchment and bone) and inorganic material (glass, obsidian) provides proven methods of absolute dating techniques. As identified earlier, the tuffaceous chert known as Gerowie Tuff is a raw material that has been used throughout the region. Gerowie Tuff undergoes tripolitic weathering that is a time-progressive chemical modification to the material. This chemical reaction commences on the exposed surface of the Gerowie tuff and, as in the case of Obsidian hydration, proceeds inwards. Gerowie Tuff is a raw material frequently used in the manufacture of bifacial points, and occurs in numerous archaeological sites throughout the region. The maximum age for points located in the Northern Territory are about 5000 B.P. It would be feasible with a maximum age, to develop an absolute dating process, based on the staged development of outer cortex. The rate of chemical change is dependent on environmental conditions, and care must be taken when extrapolating dates, to discover the environmental circumstances that the material is found in. The determination of relative dates in different environments is possible, with suitable calibration for each environment that the material is recovered from (Tite 1972). Difficulties While this method has, potential within the region it is not without some difficulties.
Despite the potential difficulties with developing an absolute dating system based on the development of patination on Gerowie Tuff implements, it is an issue with a large potential to assist archaeologists working in the region. The ability to develop accurate chronologies, from the open scatter sites on the floodplains to the stratified rockshelter sites, will enable a further understanding of this region. The potential uses of a absolute dating system for open scatter sites in the region would allow for a greater understanding of the prehistoric process of the region. The complexity and variable nature of stone implements has restricted the available technologies for the determination of implement attributes. Emerging technologies such as digital image capture and analysis, have provided the potential for more rapid attribute collection, with a much-increased level of data accuracy. Digital imaging allows the examination and determination of attributes precluded from conventional studies due to the limited period most studies are restricted to. These include the area, perimeter and number of retouch flake scars on an implement. Difficulties Difficulties associated with digital analysis of stone implements include the following:
Digital image capture and analysis offers the potential of an accuracy level that exceeds the level that would be useful to archaeologists. Beyond the simple function of image capture and analysis, digital technologies will allow the implements repatriation at an earlier stage of research. The possibility exists with three dimensional image capture for storage of implements in museums to be reduced. The potential exists for a far greater use of digital image capture and analysis in the analysis of stone implements.
Author: Wayne
Roddom, Dept. Archaeology and Anthropology |
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