Aboriginal sites and appropriate conduct.

[bushrunner]

G'day.

A quick question which was prompted by a photo of a midden in another thread.
If I was to come across one of these middens I am not sure I would be able to recognise it for what it was or know what the appropriate behavior is towards them.
So, how does one generally recognise a location which might have some sort of heritage value and what is to be done about it? Do you give it a wide berth or appreciate it without interfering with it or something else entirely?

I am assuming I am not the only one who is ignorant of such things so this thread may be of interest to others too.

Cheers.

[Drifting]

Parks Tasmania is asking people to take a GPS reading wghen they find something and send the data to them.

From an archaeologist's viewpoint (Yes I used to be one.... I've had lots of jobs) Stay off middens and hearth sites, look at rock art without touching, and don't disturb the earth on any site.

Middens are usually large collections of shells, and the rule is, when you find large collections of shells, leave them alone. Hearths appear as blackened areas in exposed clay- common around lakes when water levels drop.

Tool manufacture sites are another common thing to find. Look and leave the stuff alone.

Hope it helps.

[bushrunner]

That's useful information. Thankyou very much.

[climberman]

And as a note for NSW readers, not only do the above reccomendations to avoid disturbing sites ing true, but any item of Aboriginal record (midden, artefact, debitage, art, engraving, scar tree, carved tree, etc) "not being an item made for sale" is protected, fully, by law (under the NPW Act 1974, generally parts 85-90 I think).

[Drifting]

http://photohiker.zenfolio.com/p1003105 ... #h34a45723

These photos show a great midden.

I hope Photohiker doesn't mind- the link is to his site, and h posted it in another thread.

[photohiker]

http://photohiker.zenfolio.com/p1003105426/h224b670f#h34a45723

These photos show a great midden.

I hope Photohiker doesn't mind- the link is to his site, and h posted it in another thread.

Not at all. Its the internet, if I didn't want people to look, I wouldn't have put it there!

If you walk through that area with the right frame of mind it is a very moving experience. Middens are a signpost denoting the activities of a now defunct civilisation in the Tarkine, and as such should be treated with the utmost respect. What's that saying? "Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints", and in this case, be careful where you walk.

[tasadam]

Some inappropriate discussion and associated posts have been removed.

[eddie the eagle]

HI All,

I spoke about this with our local Lands Council when I came across a spear grinding site with a group.

NOTE: Each Koori Nation had different mores and cultural beliefs. It would be best to speak to your lands council when unsure.

Here is a potted summary of the discussion I had, but this may not be relevant to your situation.

Caves are sacred places - some were sacred and only used for birthing, others had differing uses. Stay out of caves.
DO NOT TOUCH CARVINGS - do not make a pencil rubbing. Photos for the Dharug nation were OK.
Do not tread on carvings - same deal. photos OK, but no contact.

There's a large midden in the middle of the North Era campground in the Royal National Park, Sydney that's fenced off to prevent contact. It'd make sense to me, in line with the above, to avoid walking over middens out of cultural respect. A google search shows photos - the Midden's probably 40 metres x 40 metres. Search on "North Era" in google images to get a looksee at what one looks like.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/163/4361 ... 6b.jpg?v=0 is one photo that gives an idea of the scale of this midden
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/170/4361 ... ed.jpg?v=0
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ian_riley/4464695806/

The key point, however, is that each aboriginal nation was just that, a separate nation, with separate culture, customs and beliefs. It'd be worth speaking to the local parks officer or lands council for correct behaviour appropriate to the local customs in my opinion.

Just my opinion, others may vary.

Cheers,

eddie