Archaeologists have unearthed a groundbreaking site in the Northern Territory's Arnhem Land, revealing a sophisticated tool-making hub that dates back 65,000 years. The discovery includes high-quality basalt and silcrete fragments, along with evidence of complex resin-binding techniques used to create multi-component spears and knives, far earlier than previously recorded in the region.
The excavation, led by a joint team from the University of Queensland and local Indigenous guardians, identifies this site as a 'lithic laboratory' where early humans experimented with heat-treating stone to increase durability. This find significantly pushes back the timeline for advanced technological behavior in Sahul, the prehistoric continent that joined Australia and New Guinea.