OSL ages that inform late phases of dune formation and human occupation near Olympic Dam in Northeastern South Australia

Authors

Marjorie Sullivan, Australian National University
Traevis L. Field, University of Washington
Philip Hughes, Australian National University
Ben Marwick, University of WashingtonFollow
Paulina Przystupa, University of Washington
James K. Feathers, University of Washington

RIS ID

104820

Publication Details

Sullivan, M., Field, T. L., Hughes, P., Marwick, B., Przystupa, P. & Feathers, J. K. (2012). OSL ages that inform late phases of dune formation and human occupation near Olympic Dam in Northeastern South Australia. Quaternary Australasia, 29 (1), 4-11.

Link to publisher version (URL)

Quaternary Australasia

Abstract

The Olympic Dam archaeological salvage program covers an area of 600 km2 and contains more than 16,500 archaeological sites, most of which are open scatters of stone artefacts on linear sand dunes. Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating offers an opportunity to date recent phases of dune movement and stability, and to provide a chronology for archaeological material on and in the sand bodies. Initial OSL ages from one large site in a deflation hollow on a dune are presented here. The dating was undertaken as part of a student project, and the results provide information on sand accumulation from about 12,000 years ago, with human occupation at the site occurring after that time.