Unearthing Geomorphological Clues

A combination of archaeological and geomorphic techniques was used to study erosion
hazard at Aboriginal shell midden sites in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, Australia.
In the absence of artifactual material, biological and taphonomic analyses were undertaken to
determine the likelihood a deposit was anthropogenic in origin. These analyses were also used to
gain an understanding of site formation processes.
The relationship between, and relative influence of, anthropogenic and non-anthropogenic
erosive factors at shell midden sites in different geomorphic settings was used to formulate three
erosion hazard assessment methods. Each method was designed to address the needs of a different
stakeholder group. The archaeological method includes analysis of the effects of bank erosion,
cultivation, anthropogenic and biological excavation, wind and wave erosion. Erosive factors are
compared between sites and geomorphic settings. The rapid assessment technique designed for use
by Aboriginal Land Councils and local Indigenous communities includes an Erosion Hazard Pro Forma
and uses relatively simple geomorphic analyses which can be performed in the field. A handbook
containing straightforward, user-friendly instructions on how to complete the Erosion Hazard Pro
Forma is also included, along with a scoring system used to quantify erosion hazard and rank the
study sites. A GIS model generated using soil, land use, vegetation and elevation data is also used to
quantify erosion hazard and rank the study sites.