Madjedbebe

Madjedbebe
Madjedbebe
Location of Madjedbebe marked on map
Location of Madjedbebe marked on map
Shown within Northern Territory
Location of Madjedbebe marked on map
Location of Madjedbebe marked on map
Madjedbebe (Australia)
Alternative nameMalakunanja II
LocationArnhem Land
RegionNorthern Territory
Coordinates12°30′S 132°53′E / 12.500°S 132.883°E / -12.500; 132.883
TypeRock shelter site
History
PeriodsPleistocene
CulturesAboriginal Australians
Site notes
Excavation dates1973, 1989, 2012, 2015
ArchaeologistsChris Clarkson Johan Kamminga, Rhys Jones, Mike Smith
ManagementMirrar traditional owners of lands
Public accessNo

Madjedbebe (formerly known as Malakunanja II) is a sandstone rock shelter in Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territory of Australia, possibly the oldest site of human habitation in Australia. It is located about 50 kilometres (31 mi) from the coast. It is part of the lands traditionally inhabited by the Mirarr, an Aboriginal Australian clan of the Gaagudju people, of the Gunwinyguan language group.[1] Although it is surrounded by the World Heritage Listed Kakadu National Park, Madjedbebe itself is located within the Jabiluka Mineral Leasehold.