Can we distinguish stone lines created by termite bioturbation from genuine artefact horizons? This is a challenge for field archaeology and geoarchaeology in northern Australia, where termites are abundant. We review published data to (a) present a model of the evolution of stone lines and (b) develop guidelines for recognizing these bioturbation products in archaeological contexts. In case studies, we examine Madjedbebe and Nauwalabila, two sites in northern Australia. The early occupation levels at these sites are pivotal to ideas about initial human occupation of the Australian landmass but there are claims these are unrecognized stone lines. Our assessment is that neither Madjedbebe nor Nauwalabila contain termite stone lines, although both sites may have complex geomorphic and taphonomic histories.

中文翻译：

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我们如何从人工制品的视野中区分白蚁石材的线条？热带澳大利亚地质考古的挑战

我们能否将白蚁生物扰动产生的石材线条与真实的人工制品视野区分开？这对白蚁丰富的澳大利亚北部的野外考古学和地球考古学是一个挑战。我们回顾了已发表的数据，以（a）提出石线演化的模型，（b）制定在考古环境中识别这些生物扰动产品的指南。在案例研究中，我们考察了澳大利亚北部的两个地点Madjedbebe和Nauwalabila。这些地点的早期占领水平对于有关人类最初对澳大利亚陆地的占领的想法至关重要，但是有人声称这些是无法识别的石线。我们的评估是Madjedbebe和Nauwalabila都没有白蚁石线，尽管这两个地点都可能具有复杂的地貌和透声历史。