A dig by a team of archaeologists and traditional land owners has raised more questions about what damage the Roe 8 development could do to ancient artefacts.
The Fremantle Herald reports that last weekend a team of archaeologists conducted a dig on Cockburn Council land alongside the route of the highway extension.
The dig was carried out on behalf of a number of traditional owners including Corina Abraham.
The archaeologists found quartz, granite and chert that may have been used as grinding stones or cutting tools, although because the fragments are so small it will be difficult to establish exactly what kind of tools they may have been.
Related Content
The team was led by archaeologists Fiona Hook and Joe Dortch. Dr Dortch said the find was significant because the ground was relatively undisturbed and the presence of the fragments could show a history of aboriginal presence in the area.
Dr Dortch said the findings suggested that the route of the Roe 8 between Bibra Lake and North Lake could be very similar.
The team of archaeologists say the results of the dig could be used to counter claims by the Department of Aboriginal Affairs that land along the route of the Roe 8 extension was too disturbed to contain anything of historic value.
They now want access to the area of the wetlands which are currently being cleared to search for historic wetlands before the road is built.
Corrina Abraham told the Herald that she feared that the findings would do little or nothing to stop the highway extension.
"It's just sad that we've got this new evidence which shows our cultural connection and the significance of this land, but we have no avenues to do anything," she said.
Follow WAtoday on Twitter @WAtoday