Warratyi

The Warratyi rock shelter sits within deep gorges 550 kilometers north of Adelaide, featuring multiple archaeological layers that span 40,000 years of human presence.

Scientists discovered over 4,300 artifacts at the site, including stone tools, bone fragments from 16 mammal species, and remains of extinct animals like Diprotodon.

The location contains evidence of early technological development, with findings of bone needles, hafted tools, and red and white pigments used by indigenous inhabitants.

Researchers used carbon dating on hearth charcoal and eggshells, plus luminescence techniques on quartz grains to determine the age of different occupation periods.

The shelter housed inhabitants during periods between 49,000 and 10,000 years ago, making it the oldest known human settlement in inland Australia.

Location: South Australia

GPS coordinates: -30.59210,138.95920

Latest update: April 2, 2025 15:24