Regional variation of the archaeology in western New South Wales

Abstract

There is considerable variation in the Aboriginal archaeology of western New South Wales. This is demonstrated by differences in the stone artefacts found on the open campsites that are common and distributed over all landscapes throughout western NSW. Other site types may occur in particular regions and show differences from one region to another. Eight archaeological regions are proposed. These are at the same scale as the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia, and many of the boundaries are the same. The archaeological regions represent the accumulation of archaeological materials on the landscape and Aboriginal knowledge about how to cope in various situations. There is little relationship between the archaeological regional boundaries and the published tribal boundaries. The condition and preservation of the archaeology is closely related to the nature of landscape change since European arrival.