Late Holocene Occupation and Resource Use in the Sub‐Coastal Moreton Region: The Open‐Air Howard Creek Site, Southeast Queensland

ABSTRACT This paper reports archaeological investigations at the Howard Creek site, a Late Holocene open‐air site in the sub‐coastal Moreton region of southeast Queensland. The site adds to a regional record based largely on rockshelter excavations. Development‐led salvage investigations included excavation, radiocarbon dating, lithic analysis, and use‐wear and residue studies. Six radiocarbon determinations provide a broad chronological framework for site use during the last approximately 2000 years. The catalogued assemblage comprises 11,990 artefacts, of which 10,279 from two trenches were included in the lithic analysis. Artefact densities reach 2,016 per square metre within one excavation square. Chert constitutes 81.3% of the analysed assemblage and probably derives largely from the nearby Wongawallan Jasper Quarry. Cores and debitage indicate stone‐working. Use‐wear and residue analysis of eight selected artefacts provides evidence for plant processing and animal‐tissue or bone processing. The assemblage suggests recurrent use of the locality for stone‐working and other activities. Post‐depositional mixing limits the chronological placement of particular artefacts and activities and the assessment of changes in occupation intensity. Howard Creek contributes further evidence for Late Holocene land use and activities beyond the rockshelter record.