An Independent Confirmation of the 4 ka Antiquity of a Beeswax Figure in Western Arnhem Land, Northern Australia

Authors: Watchman, A. L.; Jones, R.

Source: Archaeometry, Volume 44, Number 1, February 2002 , pp. 145-153(9)

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Abstract:

Critical to any chronology is reliability in the determination of age for a distinctive artefact that is related to other components in a series. Therefore, the independent testing and verification of the antiquity of an apparent anomalous measurement for an old beeswax figure in northern Australia is of fundamental interest in rock art studies. Replication of the radiocarbon dating process has confirmed that one exceptional figure in early X-ray style at the Gunbilngmurrung site in western Arnhem Land is indeed c. 4-4.5 ka. The result also confirms the great antiquity of paintings over which the beeswax was applied.

Keywords: AMS RADIOCARBON; DATING; BEESWAX; ROCK ART; ARNHEM LAND; AUSTRALIA

Document Type: Original article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1475-4754.00049

Affiliations: 1: School of Anthropology, Archaeology and Sociology, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia,

Publication date: 2002-02-01