Editorial
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Date
2017-12
Type
Other
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Fields of Research
ANZSRC::370905 Quaternary environments, ANZSRC::449999 Other human society not elsewhere classified, ANZSRC::450513 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander human geography and demography, ANZSRC::450101 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander archaeology, ANZSRC::439999 Other history, heritage and archaeology not elsewhere classified, ANZSRC::3709 Physical geography and environmental geoscience, ANZSRC::4301 Archaeology
Abstract
Occasionally, we strike moments in our professional and personal lives that are turning points; not just in our own personal odyssey, but within the wider context of our nation and indeed, human civilisation. Jim Bowler and Alan Thorne experienced just such an epiphany, while excavating in the Willandra Lakes Region on February 25, 1974. Careful excavation of some lunettes at Lake Mungo revealed remains of an adult male, sprinkled with red ochre. Now dated at 40,000 yr (40 ±20), this is probably one of the earliest known examples of a sophisticated burial ritual in Australia. Mungo Man’s discovery followed that of Mungo Lady in 1969 (by Jim Bowler) which also indicated ritualistic burial rights and mourning rituals.
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© Australasian Quaternary Association