The First Australians: Archaeological Findings and Gender Issues in Science

Flashcards covering key archaeological findings regarding the early settlement of Australia and issues surrounding gender bias in scientific institutions.

Madjedbebe rock shelter

An archaeological site in Australia that provides evidence of human occupation as early as 65,000 years ago.

Homo floresiensis

A tiny extinct human species nicknamed 'the hobbit', known to have lived on the island of Flores until approximately 60,000 years ago.

Denisovans

An extinct group of archaic humans, closely related to Neandertals, known primarily from genetic analysis of their DNA.

Thermoluminescence dating

A dating method used to determine the age of an object by measuring the light released when it is heated.

Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating

A highly accurate dating technique used to determine when sediment grains were last exposed to light, helping to uncover archaeological timelines.

Genomic samples

DNA data collected from living organisms, used in studies to analyze genetic relationships and ancestry.

'Old boys club' culture

A term used to describe an institutional culture dominated by men that may hinder equal opportunities for women.

Gender bias

Inequitable treatment based on gender that affects hiring, compensation, and promotion practices.

Stratigraphic controls

Archaeological processes that involve the careful recording of the layers of soil and sediment in which artifacts are found.

Interbreeding

The mixing of different species or populations through reproduction, as seen in modern humans with archaic human species.