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Macropod Bone Apatite Isotopic Analysis as Evidence for Recent Environmental Change at Bandicoot Bay Pearling Camp, Barrow Island, Australia

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Abstract

Stable isotope analysis of bone apatite oxygen (δ18O) and carbon (δ13C) was undertaken for modern and archaeological spectacled hare wallaby (Lagorchestes conspicillatus) bone collected from an 1880s indentured labor confinement camp on Barrow Island in Western Australia. δ18O results and historical climate data indicate decreased annual precipitation during occupation of the site and provide insight into the conditions experienced by Aboriginal pearling laborers incarcerated on the offshore island. δ13C values may reflect variation in water availability or a short-term vegetation change resulting from landscape burning. This study is the first application of macropod bone apatite isotopic analysis in an Australian historical context and demonstrates its significant potential for identifying recent environmental changes to a high level of sensitivity.

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Acknowledgments

Greg Skrzyrpek and Douglas Ford from the West Australian Biochemistry Centre at The University of Western Australia are thanked for technical support relating to sample analyses. We thank Tom Dooley for his contribution to the identification of zooarchaeological samples.

Funding

This research was conducted as part of the Barrow Island Archaeological Project and was funded by an ARC Discovery Grant (DP130100802) 2013–15 awarded to Peter Veth, Tiina Manne, Alistair Paterson, Mark Basgall, David Zeanah and Christa Placzek. Department of Parks and Wildlife (now Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions), WA Oil, and Chevron Australian Business Unit provided personnel and logistical support. AP is supported by an ARC Future Fellowship (FT150100168).

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Skippington, J., Manne, T., Paterson, A. et al. Macropod Bone Apatite Isotopic Analysis as Evidence for Recent Environmental Change at Bandicoot Bay Pearling Camp, Barrow Island, Australia. Int J Histor Archaeol 26, 1054–1071 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10761-021-00640-5

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