Ancient Aboriginal tools found on a Pilbara mine site in Western Australia have been dated at 35,000 years — among the oldest so far discovered in Australia.

Archaeologists believe the dig could yield material up to 40,000 years old, comparable with the internationally famous Lake Mungo Man discovery in NSW.

The prehistoric dwelling place is on the multibillion-dollar Hope Downs iron ore mine, site about 160 kilometres from the outback town of Newman and 310 kilometres south of Port Hedland. It is jointly run by international mining giant Rio Tinto and Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting.

Archaeologists hired by the Aboriginal traditional owners have released the results of radiocarbon tests indicating that it is one of the oldest-dated sites in Australia and internationally significant as a prehistoric record of humanity.

“We have always known this is an important part of our history, that our ancestors lived here,” said a senior elder of the Martidja Banyjima people, Slim Parker.

“Our stories and songs tells us this. It is a good feeling to know archaeologists have proved what we say is true. It makes us feel strong. Now we want this place preserved. It is part of our heritage and our culture.”

The discovery shows Mr Parker’s ancestors lived in the area for more than 1000 generations.
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Heavily-armed robbers posing as policemen stole cash and a service vehicle from a mobile phone distribution company in Quezon City, east of the Philippine capital of Manila on Monday morning during a “raid” against violators of intellectual property rights.

Reports say the eight “policemen,” wearing bull caps with “Pulis” (police) and “PNP” (Philippine National Police) markings, introduced themselves to the store owner and said they were conducting a “raid” against sellers of fake mobile phones from China.

Employees at Oxford Distributor Inc. could not do anything as the robbers were all armed with .45 caliber pistols and M-16 assault rifles. The security guard manning the premise was also convinced the robbers were genuine police officers and opened the door.

After the door had been opened, the robbers disarmed the security guard at gunpoint and stole cash the company made over the weekend and drove off in the company’s silver Ford service vehicle.

Another group of robbers faking themselves as policemen, also tried to rob a government employee in Valenzuela City, north of the capital. The seven armed men introduced themselves as policemen to Rene dela Cruz and said they were going to “search” his house.

However, when dela Cruz insisted on verifying their identities by calling a local police station, the men hurriedly left in a jeep.