Ancient aboriginal artefacts discovered underwater
Archaeologists have discovered aboriginal artefacts in Western Australia's continental shelf dating back at least 7,000 years.
Scholars say they are the first to be found underwater in the region
The haul includes hundreds of stone tools made by aboriginal people at two ancient sites.
While the region is well known for its rich ancient history, the two sites are the first confirmed underwater locations holding evidence of human civilization on Australia's continental shelf.
Project leader Dr Jonathan Benjamin.
"You can start to recreate what the people were doing and how they were making their life way in their economy at the time. One of the sites has several hundred submerged stone artefacts."
Divers from Flinders University retrieved the aboriginal objects from what was once dry land, at depths of up to 11 metres.
They had previously mapped and scanned the site before diving in.
Data from the find is being analyzed for precise dating.
However radiocarbon dating and analysis of sea-level changes show the site is at least 7,000 years old.
