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Evidence of a Geomagnetic Excursion 30,000 yr BP

Abstract

WE have carried out the first archaeomagnetic investigations of aboriginal fireplaces in Australia. Evidence of human occupation in Australia extends back to 25,000 to 32,000 BP, and is based on the remains of a human cremation found in the ancient lakeshore dune of Lake Mungo1, a dried out lake in western New South Wales (33.7° S, 143° E). We report here a study of some ancient fireplaces from an equivalent horizon around Lake Mungo; these fireplaces have preserved a record of a recent excursion of the Earth's magnetic field.

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BARBETTI, M., MCELHINNY, M. Evidence of a Geomagnetic Excursion 30,000 yr BP. Nature 239, 327–330 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/239327a0

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