Kartan industry facts for kids

The Kartan industry refers to the making of many very large stone tools. These tools were found on an island now called Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Long ago, this island was known as Karta. These tools were made over 10,000 years ago.

Exploring Karta's Past

A Mystery on the Island

The ancient culture of Karta holds a big mystery for archaeologists. Historian Rebe Taylor shared what archaeologist Ronald Lampert said: "This problem was like a classic mystery story." It involved a large island that has no people living on it today. This island became separated from the mainland almost 10,000 years ago. Yet, there is lots of proof that people once lived there. Lampert even named his book The great Kartan mystery.

Heavy Stone Tools

James Kohen wrote a book called Aboriginal Environmental Impacts. In it, he describes the Aboriginal stone tools found on Karta. He calls them "heavy core tools and pebble choppers." These Kartan tools have also been found in other places. They appear on the coast of South Australia, in the Flinders Ranges, and at Lime Springs in New South Wales.

Kohen explains that the Kartan industry mostly used large stone cores. These were pebble tools flaked on one side. They also used hammerstones. The tools are very heavy. They weigh about 900 grams on average. This is about ten times heavier than most other ancient tool collections.

Some Kartan tools are called "horsehoof" cores. Josephine Flood described them as having a flat bottom. They have a high, rounded shape, like a horse's hoof. Their purpose is not fully understood. They might have been used as choppers. Or, they could just be leftover pieces from making other tools.

Over 120 Kartan sites have been discovered. These sites have thousands of pebble choppers and hundreds of hammerstones. Most Kartan tools from Kangaroo Island are made of Quartzite. This stone was brought to the sites from as far as 35 kilometers away.

Using Large Animals

Not many small stone flakes from the Kartan period have been found. However, Kohen reported one discovery on Kangaroo Island. It was a chopper found at a site 7,000 years old. This tool might have been used to cut up sea lions. Sea lion bones were found with the pebble tool. But Kohen warns that this does not prove large animals were actively hunted. It only suggests the tools were used for butchering.

How Old Are They?

Josephine Flood wrote in her book Archaeology of the Dreamtime. She believes that the Kartan choppers are the oldest tools in Australia. They are most likely more than 16,000 years old.