Artefact discard and accumulated patterns in stone artefact assemblage composition in surface archaeological deposits from Pine Point and Langwell Stations, western New South Wales

This paper addresses the potential of deflated surface archaeological deposits to contribute to our understanding of human use of the southern periphery of the semi-arid Barrier Range of western New South Wales. Radiocarbon determinations from heat retainer hearths are used to establish occupational contexts for the surface deposits near the confluence of 2 creeks. This demonstrates a 2000 year discontinuous record of occupation on the eroded surfaces adjacent to the creeks. The reduction and use of raw materials is compared between stone artefact assemblages from these surfaces. The results of the stone artefact analysis indicate both similarities and differences in the formation of the stone artefact assemblages. These patterns are related to the temporal character of human occupation across the landscape. Assemblages that represent a greater intensity of raw material reduction are indicative of extended occupation. The discontinuous occupational chronology from the region suggests that synchronic settlement pattern models underestimate the temporal variation evident in human – environment relationships.