The case for a resident human population in the Central Australian Ranges during full glacial aridity

Abstract

The full glacial climate was marked by enhanced aridity, suggesting that there would be no human occupation of the interior of the continent at the glacial maximum. However, evidence from Puritjarra Rockshelter shows that the Central Australian Ranges continued to be occupied between 22,000 and 13,000 BP. The repeated use of Puritjarra, together with its location away from any natural corridor for travel into the region, indicates the presence of a resident local population. The archaeological evidence is complemented by a model of human ecology in Central Australia at 18,000 BP, showing that there is no a priori reason for expecting the region to have been totally abandoned during the last glacial maximum.