Secret treasures uncovered beneath the water off Western Australia's Pilbara coast are telling stories of how life was lived thousands of years ago.
A newly published paper documents two recently discovered sites off the Burrup Peninsula, or Murujuga as it is known by traditional owners, 1,250 kilometres north of Perth, and builds on underwater research that began in 2019.
Flinders University lead researcher Jonathan Benjamin said more than 20 stone artefacts were found across the new sites, which would have been submerged 9,000-10,000 years ago when sea levels rose after the last ice age.
Professor Benjamin said the focus now was on "what the archaeology actually tells us about the past".
The research found some of the artefacts extracted from the seabed came from as far as 20 to 25 kilometres away, meaning original inhabitants were moving tools around the landscape.
Artefacts were found in 10 to 15 metres of water in two newly documented sites, including a submerged freshwater spring. (Supplied: Flinders University)
Professor Benjamin said people were selecting the tools they preferred, in the same way someone today might choose their favourite kitchen knife.
"It's like, 'I like the way this one feels in my hand. I like this colour or this one stays a little bit sharper a little bit longer. I'm going to make sure I take it with me,'" he explained.
"People are selecting the raw material they prefer, and they're moving it from one upland outcrop all the way across the archipelago."
Local rangers play integral role
Discovering artefacts created a connection with ancestors for Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation rangers Malik Churnside and Richard Variakojis, who are listed as co-authors of the new paper.
"We did find a couple of artefacts in one area that's a submerged freshwater spring that's still sung about in the song lines to this day, even though it's been submerged for thousands of years," Mr Variakojis said.
Both rangers said it was incredibly important to involve local community members in research projects.
Rangers Malik Churnside and Richie Variajokis were part of diving surveys off Murujuga. (ABC Pilbara: Amy Rossbach)
"I think the input from traditional elders and owners from around the area, they can provide insight as well," Mr Churnside said.
"Something that's different to the Western science, some of their own storylines and their histories that they want to speak about."
Professor Benjamin said the rangers brought enthusiasm, positivity, and knowledge of country to the dives.
"There was definite two-way knowledge exchange, even underwater when we can't talk, you know, we're looking at each other, we're picking things up," he said.
"You've got scientists, archaeologists, and Aboriginal rangers all working together, bringing their own skill sets, experience levels, backgrounds."
Research sites were submerged at least 9,000 years ago off Murujuga. (Supplied: Flinders University)
Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation deputy chair Audrey Cosmos said the work of the rangers has been truly significant.
"You can only imagine how privileged they must feel to now have the skills, not only to dive but to also identify traditional artefacts underwater," she said.
A future 'global hotspot'
The peninsula also serves as a hub for WA's oil and gas sector, playing host to significant industrial development.
The rangers said the stark contrast between Murujuga's cultural heritage, and nearby oil and gas plants can be jarring.
Mr Churnside said uncovering artefacts and cultural sites shows the value of the area, and why it should be protected.
"The gas plants that are around here, it's not the best sight, but I think it's very good symbolism for what a lot of the Pilbara is," he said.
"There's such amazing, beautiful natural sites surrounded by a lot of mining infrastructure, but you can go a long way to protect what is still here."
Local rangers worked alongside university researchers. (Supplied: Flinders University)
Looking ahead, Professor Benjamin said the area would become a global hotspot for underwater archaeology.
"There are a handful of hotspots around the world in deep time prehistory … give it another 10 years, and Murujuga will be right amongst it," he said.
"I think there are thousands of underwater sites there potentially."
Ms Cosmos said there was so much more to explore amongst the area's rich history.
"This find, it just creates more opportunities, further research and scientific dating, helping us to better understand how all these artefacts strengthen the story of the traditional custodians of Murujuga."