New archaeological evidence, published in the journal Australian Aboriginal Studies, reveals that Aboriginal people visited the Watarrka Plateau, south-west of Alice Springs, 13,000 years ago. Archaeologists Dr June Ross from the University of New England and Dr Mike Smith from the National Museum of Australia were dropped by helicopter on the Watarrka Plateau as part of a survey of rock art in the Watarrka (Kings Canyon) National Park.
Builders are now constructing the Dandenong Southern Bypass through an ancient Aboriginal site. The site in Dandenong South (Victoria, Australia) has had sand tested at 35,000 years old with artefacts estimated to be about 17,000 years old. A spokesman for Thiess John Holland said Dandenong Southern Bypass works would continue as scheduled while Latrobe University archaeologists and local Aboriginal groups moved artefacts safely from the site. Works had already begun, he said, at the northern part of the Dandenong South site "following consent from the Wurundjeri Land Council, which is the legally appointed Aboriginal representative group for the area." The spokesman said two-thirds of the site would remain untouched by the works.