Saltbush, sampling strategy and settlement pattern : a systematic archeological survey of Plumbago Station Historic Reserve, South Australia

Abstract

This thesis presents the results of a systematic archaeological survey of Plumbago Station Historic Reserve, South Australia. The cultural resource management considerations which led up to this study are reviewed and the limitations of archaeological research are outlined. A detailed survey of the plant, animal and water resources on Plumbago, and their distribution through the various environmental zones provides the basis for inferences about Aboriginal settlement and subsistence in the Olary region. These are supported by ethnographic and documentary evidence. Archaeological fieldwork, carried out on Plumbago in 1978-9, is described. A random sampling strategy was used to investigate variability in the number, type, and distribution of archaeological sites on Plumbago and specific site clusters were investigated by a non-probabilistic strategy to provide additional information about the interrelationship of the various site types. On the basis of this fieldwork, and general ethnographic analogy with Aboriginal groups in arid Australia, a simple functional typology of sites is proposed. This is then used in the analysis of the settlement pattern. Finally, the probable settlement-subsistence pattern on Plumbago is outlined together with implications for Aboriginal settlement in the Olary region. The regional significance of the sites is discussed, the management alternatives for the reserve outlined, and avenues for further work listed.