Shell artefacts in Cape York Peninsula: A literature review

Abstract

As Australia’s largest peninsula, Cape York Peninsula in Queensland presents abundant opportunities to understand the complex relationship between people and coastal environments. Beyond merely being food refuse, shells demonstrate considerable cultural significance as both practical tools and symbolic objects. Yet studies of shell artefacts across Cape York Peninsula have been limited. The Agayrr Bamangay Milbi (ABM) Project, a Traditional Owner-led archaeological and heritage project focused on the southeast Cape, offers an opportunity to address this issue. As a first step, a comprehensive examination of the existing literature on shell artefacts in the region illuminates their diverse functions and cultural implications, and review of anthropological and archaeological work undertaken since 1985, including new results from archaeological survey, updates the earlier work of Schall (1985). Shell artefacts fall into several categories: utility tools, spoons, fish hooks, component elements (primarily of larger wooden objects), ornaments, rattles and containers. The rich source material underscores the need for more focused and systematic analysis of manufacturing techniques, actualistic studies, and investigations of residues and use-wear on shell objects, as well as detailed studies of specific object classes. Future investigations should focus on conducting more extensive technological analyses and exploring the socio-cultural significance of shell artefacts in greater detail.