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Aboriginal not mega tsunamis

Archaeological Evidence Belies Attack of the Australian Tsunami



In a press release that seems to cry “please listen to us, oh please”, Australian archaeologists from the Australian National University have suggested that coral and shell deposits found deep inland on the Australian mainland are not evidence of tsunamis.

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Many accounts spread throughout Australian life from those who have visited the “Red Center.” At its heart, Uluru is the main attraction, but there are those who have found something curious; sea shells. ‘She sells sea shells by the big red rock’ just doesn’t have the same ring to it, but has raised some obvious questions; just how did they get there? In 2003, Australian geological researchers posited that the deposits found all across my sun burnt land were delivered by prehistoric tsunamis over the last 10,000 years. Their research continued to suggest that the tsunamis prior to European settlement (we’re not all convicts, you know!?) were much higher than after. These findings indicated surges up to 20 meters in height and affecting a 2500km stretch of the West Australian (WA) coastline. But Dr. Tony Barham, along with colleagues Dr. Sue O’Connor and Dr. Stewart Fallon say that key evidence can lay the blame for the shell finds on human activity. “Our field work would suggest that the shell and coral deposits found high on headlands in WA or further inland are evidence of Aboriginal occupation of the area, and not deposits of mega-tsunamis or other major inundations,” argues Barham. Together with his colleagues, he found that archaeological deposits in the area had not been disturbed by a major inundation for the last 1000 years. This has essentially undermined the previous theories of giant waves flooding the area once every 400 to 500 years. “These earlier theories about mega-tsunamis and their frequency have been quite influential in WA for the development of emergency service plans – but our research would suggest that they are not supported by the archaeological evidence. “This is a great example of why solid archaeological research should be taken into account in the planning processes for future emergencies. Archaeology is a vital discipline for understanding the environmental and climate-change risks we face in Australia, as it shows how the continents’ earlier inhabitants dealt with sudden and long-term changes to their environment.” Now I will state that I am not an archaeological expert or attending the Archaeological Science Conference at ANU currently happening. However this sounds nothing more than mere speculation and supposition. Human activity is all well and good an explanation, especially when there is no hard description of just what evidence that is. Pardon me for asking, but for what reason would someone transport shells deep in to the Australian outback? And do not suggest to me that it is the shells of food being found, because any Australian who has gone searching for pippies – a type of fishing bait found in shells hidden in the sand – knows that they have a shelf life of a few days. Freezing them is one good way to keep them fresh for the fish, but pardon me if I’m mistaken, but I was relatively certain that refrigeration was a relatively new invention. I would allow for a small portion of shells brought inland as remembrances of the ocean, but the sheer amount of shells that turn up in the red center belies that argument. Barham’s claims sound like nothing more than an attempt to bring archaeology back to the forefront, so as to acquire further funding. Do not get me wrong, I believe archaeology is a vital part of history, but it should not create history simply so as to acquire finances. Joshua Hill, a Geek’s-Geek from Melbourne, Australia, Josh is an aspiring author with dreams of publishing his epic fantasy, currently in the works, sometime in the next 5 years. A techie, nerd, sci-fi nut and bookworm.


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