Conjoin sets, stratigraphic integrity and chronological resolution at Kenniff cave, Queensland

Abstract

Patterns in the archaeological record result from cultural activities and/or non-cultural processes acting before, during and after deposition or they form through post{u00AD}depositional environmental processes. Archaeologists investigating site formation processes seek to differentiate between these events. This research project was developed to determine whether patterns of artefact distribution in the Kenniff Cave deposit are a reflection of the discard of artefacts at any given time or have been created by post-depositional events. An artefact refitting program resulted in the documentation of 88 conjoin sets consisting of two to 45 pieces per set from the Holocene layers of Kenniff Cave. Three dimensional graphical illustrations of the varied vertical and horizontal distribution of selected conjoin sets highlight the need for a detailed investigation of site structure and taphonomic history before interpretation of cultural assemblages and chronological data. The impact that these data have upon the chronological framework previously used to model changes in Australian prehistory is examined.