Previously excavated and recorded rock shelter sites in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA) provide evidence of Tasmanian Aboriginal habitation over thousands of generations from at least 35,000 years Before Present (BP) to approximately 16,000 BP, preceding and spanning the Last Glacial Maximum (24,000BP to 18,000BP). The TWWHA is considered one of the world’s great archaeological ‘provinces’, containing a number of Pleistocene (ice age) Aboriginal heritage sites with similar characteristics. This ‘province’ provides a southern hemisphere comparison to better-known Late Pleistocene sites in sites in Europe (DPIPWE 2017:9). Ochre markings on the walls of some rock shelters and bone, charcoal and stone tool assemblages within the rock shelters provide insight into a period when lutruwita/Tasmania was much cooler than it is today, and an open, alpine environment existed where wet, dense forests now stand.

Latitude Heritage Pty Ltd was engaged by Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania (AHT) to assist with assessing and recording rock shelter sites within the dolomite karst system along the Maxwell River Valley in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (TWWHA). Adding to existing knowledge about the distribution of sites and their characteristics (without excavation) will assist AHT in better understanding, managing and protecting the cultural heritage values of the TWWHA into the future.

Services provided:

-         Archaeological survey

-         Site assessment and recording

-         Remote site work

For more information please see the literature review and synthesis report prepared by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment in 2017:

https://www.dcceew.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/aboriginal-heritage-twwha.pdf