JOURNAL ARTICLE

Sorcery in Australian cave may be oldest known culturally transmitted ritual.

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2024. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Pattison, Kermit 3 of 3

Abstract

A recent discovery in Cloggs Cave, Australia, suggests that an ancient stick ceremony practiced by Aboriginal people may be the oldest known culturally transmitted ritual. The archaeological find matches 19th-century accounts of Aboriginal sorcery practices, which involved affixing pieces of an intended victim's hair or clothing to a stick smeared with fat and casting it into a fire. The discovery, dating back 12,000 years, provides evidence of the persistence of this ritual from the last ice age to colonial times. The partnership between the GunaiKurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation and scientists at Monash University has allowed for the exploration of traditional lands and the recovery of cultural knowledge. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2024/07, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Publication Date:2024
  • Accession Number:178228377
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