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Archaeological and palaeontological research in central Flores, east Indonesia: results of fieldwork 1997–98

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

M. J. Morwood ,
F. Aziz ,
P. O'Sullivan ,
Nasruddin ,
D. R. Hobbs  and
A. Raza
M. J. Morwood
Affiliation:
Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology, University of New England, NSW 2351, Australia, [email protected]
F. Aziz
Affiliation:
Geological Research and Development Centre, Bandung 40112, Indonesia
P. O'Sullivan
Affiliation:
School of Earth Sciences, La Trobe University, VIC 3083, Australia
Nasruddin
Affiliation:
National Archaeological Research Centre, Jakarta 12001, Indonesia
D. R. Hobbs
Affiliation:
Archaeology and Palaeoanthropology, University of New England, NSW 2351, Australia, [email protected]
A. Raza
Affiliation:
School of Earth Sciences, La Trobe University, VIC 3083, Australia
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Abstract

The tuffaceous sandstones and siltstones of the Ola Bula Formation in central Flores. east Indonesia, contain many fossil sites. Here, excavations at Boa Lesa and Dozu Dhalu and the results of regional site surveys are described. Stone artefacts indicate that hominids had arrived on the island by 840,000 years ago, post-dating a major change in the Lower Pleistocene fauna. Since water crossings were required to reach Flores from mainland Southeast Asia, this evidence has implications for the intellectual, technological and linguistic capabilities of early hominids.

Keywords

IndonesiaHomo erectusfossil faunaLower PleistoceneFlorescolonization
Type
Papers
Information
Antiquity , Volume 73 , Issue 280 , June 1999 , pp. 273 - 286
Copyright
Copyright © Antiquity Publications Ltd. 1999

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