Assessment Questions 8.4

1. How did climate change in Australia at the end of the Pleistocene affect temperatures and rainfall?

Mean temperatures in Australia rose beginning about 8,700 years ago during the Holocene Warm Maximum, with temperatures between 0.5°C and 3°C higher than current temperatures. Outside of the drier southeast, rainfall increased by 20% to 50%, filling lakes and making even the dry interior of the continent a bit wetter.

2. What cultural changes are observed in Aboriginal culture during the Holocene Warm Maximum, and what is the Australian Small Tool Phase?

Cultural changes during the Holocene Warm Maximum in Aboriginal culture include the appearance of ground stone hatchets and flaked stone adzes. The Australian Small Tool Phase, beginning around 6,000 years ago, is marked by the production of blade tools, indicating a more efficient use of stone than in earlier technologies.

3. When did major cultural changes occur in Holocene Australia, and what characterized this period?

Major cultural changes in Holocene Australia occurred around 5,000 years ago. This period saw the emergence of the dingo in archaeological contexts for the first time, marking a significant change. The Australian Small Tool Phase and the use of finely made spearpoints also characterize this time.