The antics of ants: ants as agents of bioturbation in a midden deposit in south-east Queensland

Richard Robins and Andrew Robins

Environmental Archaeology, 2011, vol. 16, issue 2, 151-161

Abstract: During salvage excavations of an Aboriginal shell midden at Hollywell, on the Gold Coast of Queensland, ant activity was noted as a contributor to both bioturbation, and to the introduction of modern material, including metal fragments, plastic, nylon fishing line and cotton thread into the deposit. This material was found at depths of up to 400 mm and adjacent to excavation units with shells with a calibrated age of 1050–900 BP. These observations prompted the development of a small experiment to illustrate the impact that one species of common Australian ant observed on site, the green-head ant (Rhytidoponera metallica), can have on cultural material in sandy deposits.

Date: 2011
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DOI: 10.1179/174963111X13110803261010

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