Analysis of charcoal from ancient campfires in Western Australia show the rock shelter was first visited at least 50,000 years ago, archaeologists say.
The finding makes Karnatukul, meaning Serpents Glen, the oldest known archaeological site in the Western Desert.
Lead researcher Chae Byrne says the dating of the site in Katjarra, or the Carnarvon Ranges, was not the only important outcome of the study.
"The most significant part of this research shows that the wattle was collected throughout time, throughout the 50,000 years of occupation at this site," Ms Byrne, from the University of Western Australia, said.
The research, which used archaeobotany, confirmed First Nations people have drawn on the wattle for firewood, food, medicine and tools from the Pleistocene into the Holocene.
"So I can identify the charcoal pieces by comparing them to the wood that we collect throughout the landscape of the area.
"Archaeobotany is used quite often and consistently in Europe and other parts of the world, but in Australia, it's not as popular. That's slowly evolving, it's giving us really deep insights into site use and those people and plant histories."
Wattle's significance grows
Ms Byrne said the enduring relationship with the wattle highlighted the significance of the iconic Australian plant.
"We think about the wattle and how that's such a native emblem for us. It's on our coat of arms and our Olympic team's uniforms are based on the wattle, this just gives it even more significance knowing how it was used throughout deep time.
"It's just showing how deep and intrinsic that relationship is between past people and the environment and how that spanned 50,000 years.
"We think about the pyramids, which are quite amazing, that are several thousand years old. This site alone is 50,000 years old."
The study was based on the re-excavation of Karnatukul, located along the Canning Stock Route, which was already known for its archaeological significance.
"It just shows how intense the occupation was."
