Eales, Tony (Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, University of Queensland)

Anatomy of a Site: Grinding Groove Cave, Cania Gorge, South Central Queensland

Grinding Groove Cave has a deep (4.5m) deposit spanning 10,500 years of occupation. Initial studies of deposition rates and chronology indicate that there at least two distinct occupation periods with variable occupation intensities throughout. The site has excellent preservation of faunal remains as well as hearth structures which can be clearly seen in section. Periodic flooding and the subsequent settling out of fine sediments has sealed occupation layers along with intact hearths within well consolidated layers of clays and silts. The relatively high sedimentation rate accounts for the greater depth of the deposit. The long stratigraphic sequence and integrity of deposits offers the potential for finer resolution dating of occupation episodes. This poster outlines the physical location of the shelter and presents the results of preliminary analyses of site structure and chronology.

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