Overview

• Excavations conducted between April 2022 and March 2023 revealed hearth deposits, stone tools and nearly 700 artefacts at Dargan Shelter, confirming continuous use since 20,000 years ago.
• Archaeologists found evidence of social activities and seasonal habitation rather than mere crossings, overturning the belief that the Blue Mountains served only as a transient route in the last Ice Age.
• Analysis of stone implements traced some materials to the Hunter Valley and Jenolan Caves more than 100 kilometres away, indicating extensive mobility and intergroup connections among Aboriginal groups.
• A sandstone grinding slab dated to around 13,500 years ago illustrates early adaptation to harsh high-altitude environments through sophisticated toolmaking and food preparation.
• The site remains protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System and its cultural significance may support extending the Blue Mountains’ UNESCO World Heritage listing to include Aboriginal heritage values.