New knowledge of Holocene hydroclimate and freshwater availability at Murujuga

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dc.contributor.authorMather, Cen_AU
dc.contributor.authorTucker, Men_AU
dc.contributor.authorLeopold, Men_AU
dc.contributor.authorLevchenko, VAen_AU
dc.contributor.authorSkrzypek, Gen_AU
dc.contributor.authorO'Leary, Men_AU
dc.contributor.authorMcDonald, Jen_AU
dc.date.accessioned2025-03-31T06:49:59Zen_AU
dc.date.available2025-03-31T06:49:59Zen_AU
dc.date.issued2024-12-03en_AU
dc.date.statistics2025-03-27en_AU
dc.description.abstractExtensive rock art engravings and archaeological evidence of human occupation are documented around waterholes at Murujuga, highlighting their cultural significance and importance as sources of freshwater. Frequently, these waterholes have thick deposits of tufa (carbonate): evidence of the past environment and climatic conditions under which the carbonate precipitated. Here we discuss how we have refined our knowledge of the hydrology and water permanence of the waterholes at Murujuga using tufa as geo-archives of environmental and hydroclimatic change over time. Rainfall, surface water levels and geochemistry demonstrate that some waterholes are long-lasting (semi-permanent) and fed by perched seepage after large recharge events: other ephemeral waterholes evaporate quickly after rainfall events. Semi-permanent waterholes on Murujuga’s islands would be important for supporting humans as well as plant and animal life. The formation of tufa is dependent on moderate to large rainfall events that recharge the landscape and can generate significant surface water flows and allow for precipitation of calcium carbonate. Radiocarbon ages of Murujuga tufas range from 0.5 to 9.7 cal ka BP and constrain tufa formation to the Holocene. The initiation of tufa formation in the early- to mid-Holocene coincides with changing hydroclimatic conditions, following sea level rise and formation of the archipelago since the Last Glacial Maximum. Further insights from stable isotope and geochemical data from tufa will enhance our knowledge of hydroclimatic variability throughout the Holocene. This tufa palaeoenvironmental proxy record allows us to understand at what times during the Holocene water resources were abundant or sparse, meaning we can better contextualise the archaeological record at Murujuga. © The Authorsen_AU
dc.identifier.booktitleAAA 2024 Sharing Archaeological Narratives Abstract Bookleten_AU
dc.identifier.citationMather, C., Tucker, M., Leopold, M., Levchenko, V., Skrzypek, G., O'Leary, M., McDonald, J. (2024). New knowledge of Holocene hydroclimate and freshwater availability at Murujuga. Presentation to the Australian Archaeological Association Annual Conference 2024, Cairns, Queensland, 3-6 December 2024. In AAA 2024 Sharing Archaeological Narratives Abstract Booklet, (pp. 71). Retrieved from: https://www.aaaconference.com.au/2024/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/AbstractBooklet.pdfen_AU
dc.identifier.conferenceenddate2024-12-06en_AU
dc.identifier.conferencenameAustralian Archaeological Association Annual Conference 2024en_AU
dc.identifier.conferenceplaceCairns, Queenslanden_AU
dc.identifier.conferencestartdate2024-12-03en_AU
dc.identifier.pagination71en_AU
dc.identifier.urihttps://apo.ansto.gov.au/handle/10238/16105en_AU
dc.language.isoenen_AU
dc.publisherAustralian Archaeological Associationen_AU
dc.relation.urihttps://www.aaaconference.com.au/2024/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/AbstractBooklet.pdfen_AU
dc.subjectQuaternary Perioden_AU
dc.subjectFresh wateren_AU
dc.subjectArchaeological sitesen_AU
dc.subjectCarbonatesen_AU
dc.subjectClimatesen_AU
dc.subjectRainen_AU
dc.subjectGeochemistryen_AU
dc.subjectWestern Australiaen_AU
dc.subjectCarbon 14en_AU
dc.subjectStable isotopesen_AU
dc.titleNew knowledge of Holocene hydroclimate and freshwater availability at Murujugaen_AU
dc.typeConference Abstracten_AU
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