Abstract

The Yodda is a large flaked stone artefact found across Australia in rare, isolated contexts, subject to almost no archaeological study. Yoddas are rare artefacts, which to date have only been collected as isolated surface finds. In an attempt to move towards an understanding of these enigmatic objects, we present an analysis of Yoddas (n = 27) known to us from Australian collections, and review early collector observations from Australia. While their original cultural significance remains obscure, we suggest esoteric trade values are likely uses, underlying the production of these large, non-optimal, yet pan-continental, stone artefacts.

摘要

尤达（Yodda）是在澳大利亚罕见的孤立环境中发现的大片状石制人工制品，几乎没有经过考古研究。余达是罕见的人工制品，迄今为止仅作为孤立的表面发现物被收集。为了努力理解这些神秘物体，我们 对澳大利亚收藏品中已知的Yoddas（n = 27）进行了分析，并回顾了澳大利亚收藏家的早期观察结果。尽管它们最初的文化意义仍然晦涩难懂，但我们认为深奥的贸易价值很可能会被使用，它们是这些大型的，非最佳的，但仍为泛大陆性的石材制品的生产基础。