Moyil fire evidence suggests 120,000-year-old human presence in Australia. Charcoal and burnt stone feature (CBS1) discovered at Moyil/Point Ritchie in southwest Victoria Surrounding sediments date to approximately 120,000 years ago (last interglacial period) Thermoluminescence dating places stones at 100,000-130,000 years old
A charred stone feature at Moyjil (Point Ritchie), Victoria was dated by thermoluminescence to 100,000-130,000 years old. Heating above 700°C matches hearths, not wildfires. Researchers say evidence only 'marginally supports' human presence—but it challenges the accepted 50-60,000 year arrival timeline 🦘🔥
Key Facts
- Charcoal and burnt stone feature (CBS1) discovered at Moyil/Point Ritchie in southwest Victoria
- Surrounding sediments date to approximately 120,000 years ago (last interglacial period)
- Thermoluminescence dating places stones at 100,000-130,000 years old
- Evidence shows heating above 700°C consistent with hearths, not natural wildfire
- Researchers state evidence 'marginally supports a cultural origin over a natural origin'
- No stone tools or human remains found at the site
- Similar fire evidence found at Lake George dating to 120,000 years ago
- Site challenges accepted timeline of 50-60,000 years for human arrival in Australia
Source: We Found Something in Australia That Shouldn't Exist by Michael Button