an archaeological investigation of abo~ sites at callan point and
TRANSCRIPT
AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF ABO~SITES AT CALLAN POINT AND YURULBIN PO
A IlliPORT TO THE LEICIHIARDT COUNCIL
BY
AUSTRALIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL.sUR 'lEY CONSULTANTS PTY LTD
(AASC)
(HUY~, JOHNSTON, WICKMAN)
SEPTEMBER 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1.0 INTRODUCTION I
2.0 CONSULTAnON 4
2. I The Leichhardt Council
2.2 The Leichhardt Cuouncil Project Steering Committee
2.3 The Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council
2.4 Property Owners
2.5 Consultation with Colleagues
2.6 Additional Consultation
3.0 PROJECT METHODOLOGY 9
3.1 The Background Component
3.2 Field Work
3.3 The Data Analysis and Assessment
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SEITING FOR THE PROJECT AREAS 13
4.1 The Pre-European Landscape of the Leichhardt Municipality
4.2 The Environmental Setting of Callan Point
4.3 The Environmental Setting of Yurulbin Point
5.0 ETHNOHISTORIC INFORMATION 15
5.1 The Role of Ethnohistory in Archaeological Research
5.2 Ethnohistoric Sources
6.0 PRE-CONTACT ABORIGINAL SOCIETY 17
6.1 Population Estimates
6.2 Aboriginal Land Tenure
6.3 The Pre-contact Aboriginal Economy in the Sydney Region
7.0 POST CONTACT ABORIGINAL SOCIETY 26
8.0 PREVIOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN THE PORT 30
JACKSON CATCHMENT AREA
8.1 Excavation and Collection
8.2 Field Surveys and Site Recordings
8.3 Shell Middens and Deposit Sites
8.4 Rock Art Sites Across the Sydney Basin
9.0 PREVIOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN THE 38
PROJECT AREAS
9.1 Callan Point
9.2 Yurulbin Point
10.0 FIELD WORK MEfHODOLOGY 43
10.1 Callan Point
10.2 Yurulbin Point
11.0 RESULTS / DISCUSSION FOR CALLAN POINT 46
ILl The Open Midden Site
11.2 The Shelter Midden Site
11.3 Other Finds in the Callan Point Area
11.4 Summary for the Callan Point Area
12.0 RESULTS / DISCUSSION FOR YURULBIN POINT 60
12.1 Rock Overhang at 144 Louisa Road
12.2 Rock Overhang at 9 Numa Street
12.3 The Shelter / Art Site at 7 Numa Street
12.4 Further Discussions
12.5 Further Findings From This Project
13.0 SIGNIFICANCE ASSESSMENTS 75
13.1 Significance Criteria
13.2 The Significance of Aboriginal Sites Investigated During
This Project
14.0 MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
14.1 The Sites at Callan Point
14.2 The Sites at Yurulbin Point
14.3 General Management Recommendations
63
15.0 GUIDELINES FOR THE INTERPRETAnON OF THE
ABORIGINAL HERITAGE OF THE LEICHHARDT REGION,
NSW 89
15.1 Identified Aboriginal Heritage Education PrioritiesWithin the
Leichhardt Municipality
15.2 General Pamphlet on the Aboriginal Heritage of the Leichhardt
Region
15.3 Interpretation Sign for the Cullan Point Aboriginal Sites
15.4 Wording for the Cullan Point Aboriginal Sites Interpretative Sign
15.5 Interpretation Sign for Yurulbin Point Aboriginal Sites
MAPS
.\ 1. The Study Area
2. The Location of Sites at Callan Point
3. The Location of Sites at Callan Point
TABLES
1. Heritage Studies Completed in Sydney Shire Councils
2. Aboriginal Clans in the Sydney Region
DIAGRAMS
1. Plan of the Open Shell Midden on the Headland at Callan Point
2. The Shelter I Midden Site at Callan Point
3. Overhang at 144 Lousia Rd
4. Overhang at 9 Numa St
5. Shelter I Art Site at 7 Numa
6. Previously Recorded Motifs at Shelter I Art Site at 7 Numa St
3
59
61
1
21
47
53
62
66
67
70
7. Sketch of Rock Art in Rock Overhang at 7 Numa St 71
8. Sketch of Hand Stencils visible on wall of Rock Overhang at 7 Numa St 72
9. Plan Showing the Proposed Location of Boardwalks at Callan Point 80
APPENDIX 1 : Katherine Sale Report "Notes on the Art at 7 Numa St"
1.0 INTRODUCTION
In the past 5-10 years, nine Shire Councils within the Sydney Region have completed, or
are in the process of carrying out heritage studies within their Municipality (see Table 1).
In each case, information regarding the Aboriginal heritage for the area formed a
component of the study.
TABLE 1
1
Shire Council
Blacktown
Burwood
Hunter's Hill
Ku-ring-gai
Lane Cove
Manly
Strathfield
Warringah
Woollahra
Researcher & Year of Report
Kohen (1986)
Rich (1986a)
Walker & Associates (l984a & 1984b)
Koettig (1988)
Smith (1988)
Rich (l986b)
Rich (l986a)
Haglund (1984)
Haglund (1986)
As Attenbrow (1990) points out, part of the responsibility for managing Aboriginal sites
within the Sydney region now rests with Local Councils. As such, these heritage studies
usually constitute the first stage in the process of documenting ilUd assessing the heritage
value of sites in their municipality, and establishing preliminary management guidelines
for these sites.
In 1988 the Leichhardt Council commissioned a Heritage Study to be undertaken for the
Municipality. The brief for this study was to examine the thematic history of the
Municipality. The study was commenced in 1989, by McDonald McPhee Pty Ltd, with
the draft report being submitted in 1990.
The Leichhardt Heritage Study as it presently stands, focuses solely on European
heritage. Mr B. McDonald, the project leader for the study, explained to the Leichhardt
Council that in his view the procedures and expertise required for dealing with Aboriginal
heritage were quite different than those required for European heritage. In light of this, he
felt that Aboriginal heritage would not be well served by being included in a cross
cultural study.
In order to complete the Cultural Heritage study for the Municipality, the Leichhardt
Council resolved to commission a separate investigation to be undertaken for Aboriginal
heritage.
Australian Archaeological Survey Consultants (AASC) were commissioned by the
Leichhardt Council to undertake this study. The general aims being:
- To record and map previously identified Aboriginal Sites at two locations within the
Leichhardt Municipality;
- To provide guidelines for the conservation, management and interpretations of these
sites.
- To provide background information on the post-contact Aboriginal history of the area.
The Aboriginal sites to be investigated as part of this study are located within two areas
(see Map I).
The first of these areas is Callan Point, situated on the grounds of the Rozelle Hospital.
Five Aboriginal sites have been identified in this area by various people including Dr Val
Attenbrow from the Australian Museum. All of these sites are recorded as shell middens,
or suspected shell middens.
The second area where Aboriginal sites have been identified is Yurulbin Point (Long
Nose Point), situated in Balmain. Mr Guider (an amateur archaeologist) has recorded
three Aboriginal sites along the NW shoreline of this point. Two of these are reported
midden sites located under rock overhangs. The third is an art site, where several hand
stencils and a charcoal outline of a shark were identified.
To date, the only known Aboriginal sites still in existence within the Leichhardt
Municipality are situated within these two areas. This is hardly surprising given that
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Callan Point and Yurulbin Point constitute two of the last areas of relatively undisturbed
natural shoreline in the Municipality. With the exclusion of these two areas, virtually all
the land within Leichhardt has been subject to development. This includes the shoreline
areas, which have been subject to infill and reclamation.
4
2.0 CONSULTATION
One of the major components of this project has been the process of consultation.
Numerous parties have been identified as having a direct concern in the outcomes of this
investigation. AASC has endeavoured to maintain communications with these parties
throughout the duration of the project. The following provides the details for this
consultative process.
2.1 The Leichhardt Council
The Leichhardt Council has nominated Jeanne Townsend, the Council's Aboriginal
Community Worker and Bruce Lay, the Council's ArchitectJPlanner, to be the contacts
for this project.
On Tuesday 29-11-1994, members of AASC met with Bruce Lay to discuss project
details, and to undertake a brief inspection of the two project areas. The first of the areas
to be visited was Callan Point. Bruce Lay provided a brief tour of the area, pointing out
the location of the two midden sites identified by Val Attenbrow, and conveying some
general points of information for the project area.
The second area to be visited was Yurulbin Point. Again Bruce Lay provided a brief tour
of the sites in the area, providing information for the area where required. Given that all
the Aboriginal sites located in this area are situated on private land, one of the main
purposes for this visit was to meet with the property owners and advise them as to project
details. The owner of number 9 Numa Street, where two of the sites were located, was not
available. However, the caretakers of the house were advised that AASC would contact
the owner prior to field work commencing. The same situation applies for 144 Louisa
Road, where another of the sites is located. Again the owner was not home, but the
caretaker was informed that AASC would establish contact in the near future.
Bruce Lay advised AASC that both property owners had been previously informed by
Council that they wished to have an archaeological investigation undertaken for these
sites. Both property owners had given their consent for this project to go ahead.
5
On returning to Council, Bruce Lay provided AASC with background material for the
project, together with the contact numbers for those individuals and parties who were to
be involved in the project.
From this point on regular contact was made with both Bruce Lay and Jeanne Townsend
regarding the progress of the project.
2.2 The Leichhardt Council Project Steering Committee
The Leichhardt Council formed a steering committee to oversee the progress of this
project.
A progress report outlining the background research stage of this project was submitted
for review to the Steering Committee in mid December. The draft report detailing the
findings of this investigation has also been submitted for review to the Committee. The
final report includes any alterations or concerns the Committee have identified from the
draft report.
2.3 The Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council
On Monday, 5-12-1994, AASC contacted Mary Coe from the Metropolitan Local
Aboriginal Land Council (LALC). We were advised by the Land Council that Mary Coe
would be away until after Christmas.
On the 20-12-1994 AASC were able to organise an on site meeting with Mary and Jenny
Coe. An inspection was made of the Callan Point and the Yurulbin Point site areas.
Discussions were held regarding any concerns and ideas that Mary and Jenny Coe may
have regarding site research and site management options. The outcomes of these
discussions are outlined in the results section of this report.
Sadly, Mary Coe died shortly after this meeting. Subsequent matters concerning this
project have been directed to the duly elected Sites Officer for the Metropolitan Land
Council, Mr William Wallace. On the 22 June AASC members met with Mr Wallace. It
was agreed by the Metropolitan Land Council that the report would be dedicated to Ms
MaryCoe.
6
2.4 Property Owners
The three sites to be investigated at Yurulbin Point are all located on privately owned
land. A rock shelter is located at 144 Louisa Road, Birchgrove. The owner of this
property, Georgina Carnegie could not be contacted throughout the duration of this
project. However, the caretaker of the property provided pennission to access the site for
recording purposes.
A second rockshelter is located at 9 Numa Street, Birchgrove. The owner of this property
Cybel Mastennan gave permission for AASC to access the site whenever was necessary.
An art site and associated rockshelter is located at 7 Numa Street, Birchgrove. Again, the
property owners, Bruce Allen and Helen Styles, gave pennission for members of AASC
to access the property when required.
Given the fact that future management options for these three sites will directly involve
the respective property owners, AASC have attempted to ensure that they are involved in
discussions regarding these matters. It is proposed that each of the property owners
receive a draft copy of this report and that AASC make themselves available to discuss
any concerns that may arise.
2.5 Consultation With Colleagues
AASC has attempted to enlist the advice of several colleagues who were identified as
having certain expertise relevant to this project and/or may be involved in research
projects which tie in with this project.
Val Attenbrow from the Australian Museum has been involved in on going research into
midden and deposit sites within the Port Jackson Catchment. On Tuesday, 6-12-1994,
AASC attempted contacted Val Attenbrow, but were infonned that Val Attenbrow would
be away on a conference until the 13-12"1994.
Shortly after Christmas Val Attenbrow was invited by members of AASC to an on site
inspection of the project areas. Val Attenbrow declined the offer but stated that she would
be happy discuss any aspects of the project with us.
7
In mid February, AASC organised for John Clegg, Nick Hall and Catherine Sale to
undertake an inspection of the Yurulbin project area. All three workers are recognised as
being authorities on aspects of Aboriginal rock art. The purpose of the site inspection was
to gain advise as to management and conservation options for the rock art identified at 7
Numa Street.
All three workers also accompanied members of AASC to rock art site at White Horse
Point, the existence of which had been known to John Clegg.
The outcomes of these site visitations are documented in the results section of this report.
2.6 Additional Consultation
On Thursday, 8-12-1994, AASC were placed in contact with Peter Jenson, a bush
regenerator, who had been advising the Leichhardt Council as to possible landscaping
measures to be undertaken at Callan Point. It was organised for Peter Jenson to meet
AASC on site, on Monday 19-12-1994. Unfortunately, Peter Jenson was unable to attend
this meeting.
AASC were unable to establish contact with Michael Guider, an interested member of the
public, who originally located and recorded several of the sites investigated during this
project.
8
3.0 PROJECT METHODOLOGY
Within the discipline of archaeology, it is no longer acceptable for workers to enter the
field with merely a general notion of their objectives. Rather, the emphasis has now been
placed upon conducting research according to a carefully constructed research design. A
major component of this research design is the establishment of the techniques and
methodology to be employed in achieving specific project objectives.
To accomplish the specified objectives of this project, a three fold methodological
approach has been established. These are summarised as follows:
1) The background component;
2) The field work component;
3) The data analysis and interpretation;
3.1 The Background Component
The background component of this project entails the following tasks:
I) Establishing communications with the staff of the Leichhardt Council, and the.
Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC), and ensuring that all
relevant parties understand and are in agreement with the project objectives;
2) To conduct a thorough literature search for published and unpublished
references to the archaeology of study region;
3) To conduct a review of the ethnohistoric and anthropological literature for the
study region ;
4) To interview workers who have undertaken archaeological research in the study
area in order to document their views and knowledge of the Aboriginal sites in
the study area;
5) To research into the land use history of the study region, in order to ascertain the
possible impacts upon the known and unknown Archaeological sites in the project
area.
9
6) To gather other relevant documentation for the study region, including aerial
photographs and maps;
7) In conjunction with the Leichhardt Council, the Metropolitan LALC and other
interested parties, to establish a field survey strategy for the project;
3.2 Field Work
The Leichhardt Council has identified two specific areas within their Municipality,
which were to be archaeologically investigated by AASC. These being Callan Point and
Yurilbin Point.
The following personnel participated in the field surveying component of the project:
- Stuart Huys
- Dave Johnston
- Sam Wickman
An outline of the particular field survey strategies adopted for each site is presented in the
relevant chapters for these sites.
When recording sites, the following details were to be noted where relevant.
I) Site Location:
All sites located during the course of the field survey were plotted on a I: 100 ()()()
topographical map;
2) Site Type:
In this survey, sites have been classified under the following categories;
- isolated find ( a single artefact );
- open artefact scatter ( 2 or more artefacts, each of which is situated within 50m of each
other);
- scarred tree ( scarring of a tree caused by a human agent );
- shell midden;
- hearth ;
- historic site;
- other.
10
3) Environmental Setting:
Details were nqted of the surrounding landscape in which the site was located. These
included:
- The environmental zone ( eg beach, lake etc) ;
- The topography ( eg on ridge, flat etc) ;
- Distance from site to water.
4) Site Size:
When recording artefact scatters it is often difficult to establish the parameters of a site,
due mainly to poor surface visibility. In these instances, site boundaries have been
defined as the limit of artefact distribution visible on the surface. Using this method, the
observed site may be considered to constitute a representative sample of the total site.
However, it must be acknowledged that intra-site spatial variations in artefact distribution
may bias results to an unknown degree.
5) Artefact Details:
The following attributes of stone artefacts were recorded:
- artefact typology ( eg flake, core etc) ;
- artefact material type ( eg chert, silcrete etc) ;
- colour
- dimensions ( Length x Width x Thickness) ;
- comments ( eg presence of use-wear, retouch etc ).
Photographs were taken of all sites located during surveying, as a supplement to the
written record.
3.3 The Data Analysis and Assessment
The analysis of the data collated during this project was conducted on two separate levels.
First, the data obtained for each survey area was analysed independently. Then the data
from both the survey areas was analysed as a complete entity.
With the analysis of the data, specific attention was paid to :
I) Site types present within the separate survey areas and their relationship;
2) The distribution of site types within the landscape;
11
3) The relationship between site types, site densities, and environmental factors;
4) The artefact types and artefactual materials present within the archaeologi<;al deposit.
A similar approach as outlined above was adopted for the assessment of the data.
Each survey area was assessed separately, then the findings from the project were
assessed as a whole.
The assessment of the data focused upon the following:
1) The potential significance of each site or suite of sites located during the survey.
Significance was assessed under four criteria;
- significance to the local Aboriginal people,
- archaeological significance,
- historical significance,
- educational significance.
2) The assessment of previous processes of disturbance in the project area, and
their likely effects upon the preservation and integrity of archaeological sites
across the project area;
3) Management recommendations for each site or suite of sites located during the
project;
4) The identification and assessment of areas of potential archaeological sensitivity
within the study area;
5) An overview of the pre-contact Aboriginal occupation of the study region.
12
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SETTING FOR THE PROJECT AREAS
Numerous investigations within Eastern Australia have revealed that the nature and
distribution of archaeological sites across the landscape are strongly influenced by
environmental factors. The bedrock geology of a region, it's landforms, soils, vegetation,
and climate, all combine to influence the distribution and availability of resources
considered to be of importance to prehistoric Aboriginal groups (these being, plant and
animal foods, water, raw materials for tool making, ochre and suitable campsites). Such
factors will also affect the ease with which people could travel across the landscape. It
stands to reason then, that in order to properly understand, or indeed predict patterns of
Aboriginal activity within a region, one must first be familiar with the environmental
setting of the study region.
4.1 The Pre-European Landscape of the Leichhardt Municipality
The pre-European landscape in and around the Leichhardt Municipality would have been
typical of much of the Sydney Harbour area. The major geological deposit in this area is
the Hawkesbury Sandstone, which runs in a south-west to north-east direction (NSW
PWD 1990). Steep angular faults in this sandstone has produced a characteristic
topography for the area, which can be categorised into three clearly defined topographic
zones. These being flat ridge tops, steep slopes incised by streams, and a shoreline of
rocky cliffs, small sandy beaches and marshes (Powell 1986).
The original shoreline of the area was formed through localised erosion patterns of a
dendritic nature, which created an irregular series of small coves and rocky points (NSW
PWD 1990). This shoreline was edged by low rocky cliffs, small sandy beaches and areas
of swamp where creeks met the tidal waters (Powell 1986).
On the basis of early photographs, etchings and descriptions, it has been possible for
workers to gain a fairly clear picture as to the original natural vegetation for the area. The
dominant vegetation in the area appears to have been open forests and woodland
comprising scribbly gums (Eucalyptus haemastoma), Red Bloodwoods (Eucalyptus
gumnifera) and Sydney Red Gums (Angophora costata), with a profusion of shrubs as an
understorey. On the deeper soils formed in the gullies, stands of Blackbutt (Eucalyptus
pilularis) could be found (NSW PWD 1990).
13
Along the rocky waterfront, casuarinas and scribbly gum were predominant, with
Mangroves and paperbarks likely to have been present in and around the swamp margins
(Powell 1986).
4.2 The Environmental Setting of Callan Point
Callan Point constitutes one of the last remnant areas of natural shoreline still existing in
the Leichhardt Municipality. It is a natural rock outcropping which extends out to the
waters of Iron Cove. On the north-east side of the point the natural rocky shoreline is still
evident, with it's sandy beaches, rock ledges and remnant indigenous vegetation. This
vegetation includes a few scattered she oak, rough barked Apples and Bangalay trees, as
well as several species of native grasses, including Kangaroo grass (Themedaaustralis).
Prior to the 1880's, two small inlets were located either side of Callan Point. However, by
the tum of the century these inlets had been almost completely filled in, as part of a
process of land reclamation undertaken in the area. As a protective measure for this
reclaimed land, a sandstone block seawall was set in place, replacing the original rugged
shoreline (Powell 1986).
4.3 The Environmental Setting of Yurulbin Point
As with the majority of the shoreline in the Leichhardt Municipality, the shoreline around
Yurulbin Point has been infilled and landscaped. A retaining sea wall has been built
around a considerable portion of the shoreline of Yurulbin Point. The area between this
sea wall and the base of the sand stone cliffs which delineate the point has been subject to
infill.
On top of Yurulbin Point the majority of the natural vegetation cover has been cleared.
The area along both the north and the south cliffs of the point is now residential, while
the easterly most portion of the point which fonnerly served as an industrial waterfront
has been landscaped into a park area. Within this park area a few Mature Eucalypts still
exist.
14
5.0 ETHNOmSTORIC INFORMATION
5.1 The Role Of Ethnohistory In Archaeological Research
Ethnohistory entails the use of historical literature as a source for constructing
ethnographic analogies and models in the study of the prehistory and contact history of
indigenous peoples (McBryde 1979). Although ethnohistoric accounts have been
recognised as a valuable source for providing insights into the lifeways of prehistoric
people, their application can be problematical. These problems relate primarily to the
nature of the sources, their accuracy and I or validity.
Both Webb (1984) and Dowling (1990) consider that the major weakness of many
Australian ethnohistoric accounts is the tendency for European values and concepts to
bias the observer's perceptions. Further distortions appear likely, when we consider that
many ethnohistoric accounts were recorded during a period when Aboriginal culture in
many parts of Australia was under great pressure from European contact.
Yet, not all ethnohistorical accounts should be disregarded because of these pitfalls.
Webb (1984) provides a framework by which the accuracy or value of a report may be
judged. This stipulates the known competence of the observer, the type of description
given, the region involved and the degree of previous European influence in the region.
Although somewhat subjective in itself, we feel this framework provides a good basis for
such assessment, and will therefor be utilised in the review of ethnohistoric accounts of
Aboriginal activity in and around the Sydney Harbour area.
In adopting this procedure, it is acknowledged that ethnohistoric accounts can only be
reasonably utilised to draw assumptions as to the lifestyles of Aboriginals at around the
time of the original recording of the account. The further back into prehistory we go, the
more limited these assumptions become (Peterson 1971).
15
5.2 Etbnohistoric Sources
Flood (1980) identifies three types of ethnohistoric observations;
1) The first hand, eyewitness observations made at the time of first contact with
Europeans;
2) First hand observations made at a later stage when Aboriginal society had become
"Europeanised";
3) Second-hand or generalised accounts of Aboriginal life.
The ethnohistoric accounts of Aborigines in the Sydney region includes these three types
of observations.
Of these sources of information, the most valuable and reliable, for the reconstruction of
pre-contact Aboriginal life, are the first-hand observations made at the time of first
contact with Europeans. These include the accounts by explorers, surveyors and pioneer
settlers. This does not necessarily mean that other forms of observations should be
disregarded. However, caution must be exercised in their application.
From the Sydney region comes some of the earliest European observations of Aboriginal
society in Australia. These accounts, which predominantly come from First Fleet
colonists, are of particular value because they were recorded prior to Aboriginal culture
being severely effected by European contact.
From such sources of information, insights may be gained into aspects of Aboriginal life
such as demography, material culture, language, social and political relationships,
subsistence regimes, and ideological beliefs. Some of these will be discussed below.
16
6.0 PRE .CONTACT ABORIGINAL SOCIETY
6.1 Population Estimates
To estimate the size and distribution of the pre-contact Aboriginal populations within
areas of Australia is extremely problematic. In arriving at such estimates, workers often
rely on ethnohistoric accounts for information. However, two factors must be taken into
account when utilising these accounts.
- The impact of European occupation upon Aboriginal societies at the time of the
recording of the account.
- The accuracy and/or validity of ethnohistoric recordings.
As stated earlier in this chapter, the most valuable and reliable ethnohistoric accounts are
the first-hand observations made at the time of initial contact between Aboriginal and
European people.
As such, the accounts of the members of the First Fleet are considered to be of primary
importance in estimating population numbers in the Sydney area.
On arriving in Australia, Captain Arthur Phillip was instructed to report back to England
as to the number of indigenous people that inhabited the area around the intended
settlement. On May 15, 1788, he wrote to Lord Sydney, advising:
II It is not possible to determine with any accuracy the number o/natives, but I
think that in Botany Bay, and the intermediate coast they cannot be less than one
thousand five hundred. II (Attenbrow 1988).
Kohen (1985) is of the opinion that Phillip has underestimated the population levels in
this area. He suggests that there were probably between 5 000 - 8 000 Aboriginal people
living in the area between Botany Bay, the Hawkesbury River and the Blue Mountains,
around the period of initial European contact.
17
6.2 Aboriginal Land Tenure
Archaeologists, have from the beginning, struggled in their attempts to understand and
define Aboriginal land tenure. A good deal of this confusion still exists within the
discipline today. Particularly in regards to such issues as the nature of pre-contact
Aboriginal groupings, the Aboriginal concepts of land ownership, and the relationship of
both these to pre-contact Aboriginal land use.
These issues are confronted in a preliminary way in this chapter. The purpose being to
establish a basic framework of understanding regarding Aboriginal social organisation,
within which the archaeology of the study area may be viewed. Such an understanding is
an essential pre-requisite to any archaeological research concerned with analysing the
relationship between Aboriginal people and their environment.
Within Australia the band is generally considered by anthropologists as the basic social
and economic unit in pre-contact Australian Aboriginal society ( Service 1966 : Peterson
1976 ). It is described as a small scale population, comprised of between two to six
extended family units, which together cooperate in the food quest ( Service 1966 ). The
composition of this group (in terms of numbers) was by no means rigid, with group sizes
fluctuating in response to such factors as the availability of resources and visiting kin
(Peterson 1975).
Individual bands are seen to occupy and exploit a specific range ( Service 1966 ). The
actual delineation of a group's range is problematical, since they are not easily
definable. The ideal method of defining the range would be to identify the outermost
points of an area used by a group. Yet, as Peterson (1986) points out, the kind of evidence
needed to achieve this, ( details of daily movements over several years) is not available
for any group within Australia. Nor is such evidence likely to be discernible in the
archaeological record. The practical alternative, both from an archaeological and an
anthropological perspective, is to identify the base camps used over a period by a group.
This provides a rough equivalent of the "home range" .
Despite the difficulties faced in defining ranges, Peterson (1986) believes there is good
evidence for supposing that bands are localised and generally have more or less bounded
and exclusive ranges. The most significant evidence being ethnographic accounts
18
recording the elaborate rites of entry accorded to visitors when entering a band's range
(see Peterson 1986). There is however, no evidence to suggest that members of a band
actively defended the boundaries of these ranges, Peterson (1986).
The band is in essence a land using group, but not a land owning group. Land ownership
was vested in "the clan" , which had rights in an area called an estate (Stanner 1965). It is
uncertain whether clans within Eastern Australia were strictly patrilineal (as is suggested
in other parts of Australia), or whether membership was determined more on the basis of
place of birth (White & Cane 1986). Mathews (1906) suggests that a child generally
belonged to the "clan country", or territorial group of it's father, the woman usually
having moved to her husbands "country" when married.
The Sydney Region
Within the Sydney region, each clan is reported to have taken the name of the area in
which they usually resided. The suffix 'gal' was added to the place name in order to
distinguish the male members of the clan, while the suffix 'galleon' was used to
distinguish the female members (Collins 1975 [1798))
Early ethnohistoric accounts provide some indication of the names of clans occupying
selected areas within the Sydney region. Collins (1975 [1798]) states that
"... the southern shore ofBotany Bay is called 'Gwea', and the people who inhabit it style
themselves Gweagal". Those who live on the north shore ofPort Jackson are called
Cam-mer-ray, that part ofthe harbour being distinguished from others by the name of
Cam-mer-ray... ").
In a report made in 1788, Phillip mentions that the territory of the Cadigal people
stretched along the south side of Port Jackson, from what is now South Head, through to
Petersham. The area along the southern banks of the Parramatta River, from Petersham
west to Rosehill, was reported to belong to the Wangal ( Phillip 1788 in Turbet 1989).
On the basis of this evidence, together with other reports, Kohen (1985) believes that the
area now encompassed by the Leichhardt Municipality was the home of the Wangal clan.
The boundary of the Wangal and Cadigal clans is identified as lying along the Balmain
Peninsula.
19
In total, there have been 34 clan groups identified as having occupied areas in and around
Sydney (Kohen 1985). Table 2 provides the names and areas associated with these clans.
20
Table 2 : Aboriginal Clans in the Sydney Region (Koen 1985)
Clan Name Language Group General Locality
Cadigal Dharug (Eara) Sydney
Wangal " " Concord
Burramattagal " " Parramatta
Wallumattagal " " Ryde
Muru-ora-dial : " Maroubra
Kameygal " " Botany bay
Birrabirragal " " Sydney Harbour
Borogegal-yuruey " " Bradleys head
Bediagal Dharug North of George's River
Bidjigal " " Castle Hill
Toogagal " " Toongabbie
Cabrogal " " Cabramatta
Boorooberongal " " Richmond
Cannemegal " " Prospect
Gomerigal-tongara " " South Creek
Muringong " " Camden
Cattai " " Windsor
Kurrajong " " Kurrajong
Bool-bain-ora " " Wentworthville
Mulgoa " " Penrith
Terramerragal Kuringgai Turramurra
Cammeraigal " " Cammeray
Carigal " " West Head
Cannalgal " " Manly (Coast)
Gorualgal " " Fig Tree Point
Kayimai " " Manly (Harbour)
Gweagal " " Kuruell
Norongerragal " " South of George's River
lllawarra " " Wollongong
Threawal " " Bong Bong
Tagary " " Royal National Park
Wandeandegal " " Unknown
Dry-ang-ora " " Unknown
Goorungurragal " " Unknown
21
Individual Bands or Clans were by no means a social or cultural isolate, but rather
interacted with each other in a variety of ways. Typically, these interactions involved
visitations, marriage, ceremonies and trade. Through these interactions, links were
established or re-affirmed between neighbouring bands. The result being the formation of
a cluster of bands, wherein there was some sense of collective identity, often expressed in
terms of possessing a common and distinctive language. The collective term often used
for such groups of Bands is the Tribe or language group.
Analyses made of early linguistic recordings has led workers to the general conclusion
that there were three major language groups (or Tribes) occupying the Sydney region at
around the time of European contact (Capell 1970; Kohen 1985 ;
Kohen & Lampert 1987).
The Dharawal Language is believed to have been predominantly confined to the area
south of Botany Bay, extending down the coast as far as the Nowra area and across to the
George's River in the west.
The Dharug, which was a closely related language to that of Dharawal, is reported as
being spoken over a large area of the Cumberland Plain, from Appin to the Hawkesbury
River and west through to the Blue Mountains. Following discussions will look at the
controversial suggestion that the clans between Port Jackson and Botany Bay who
referred to themselves as Eora, spoke a dialect of Dharug.
A third language, Kuring-gai, was spoken in the area between the Lane Cove River and
the coast, from the north shore of Port Jackson, across Broken Bay as far as Tuggerah
Lake (Capell 1970; Kohen 1985; Kohen & Lampert 1987).
Linguistic records show that there was a considerable degree of vocabulary shared by
these three language groups. This fact alone is indicative that there was a degree of
interaction between the people of the three linguistic groups.
Linguistic workers have ascertained that within each language group, there were a
number of differing dialects, which shared a common grammatical base, but varied
slightly in vocabulary. The Dharug language, for example,'had two major dialects, that of
22
the Eora or coastal people and that spoken by the people occupying the inland area from
Parrarnatta to the Blue Mountains (Kohen & Lampert 1987).
This model of pre-contact linguistic boundaries in the Sydney region is by no means
undisputed. As Ross (1988) points out, there is considerable controversy regarding the
composition and distribution of tribes (language groups) in the Sydney area at the time of
first European contact. Ross (1988) argues quite convincingly that the linguistic data used
by Kohen and other workers in developing their model of tribal (linguistic) boundaries in
the Sydney region is questionable and potentially flawed. Most of this linguistic
information was recorded in the late 1800's, early 1900's. A period when Aboriginal
society had been severely disrupted by European occupation. Ross quite correctly argues
that any pre-contact linguistic reconstruction based on data from this period of social
upheaval in Aboriginal society, is bound to be flawed by inaccuracies.
Of major concern to this report is the assertion of Capell (1970) and subsequently Kohen
(1985) that the area between Port Jackson and Botany Bay, occupied by a group known
as the Bora, was a dialect sub-group of the Dharug language group.
Capell's (1970), and to some degree Kohen's (1985) assertion is based on the comparison
oflinguistic data recorded in the late 1800's, early 1900's.
Ross (1988) has drawn upon ethnohistoric information to develop a somewhat different
model of group occupation in the Sydney region. Ross believes that ethnohistoric
accounts from around the late 1700's, the period of first contact between European and
Aboriginal societies, indicate that the Dharug were a completely separate tribal group
from the people living between Port Jackson and Botany Bay, the Bora (see Ross 1988
for full discussion).
It must be noted that several workers are critical of the common implication that the tribe
or language group constituted a bounded cultural, linguistic and geographical unit,
believing that this inaccurately portrays the social, political and linguistic complexities of
the traditional Aboriginal society (Berndt 1964 ; Peterson 1976 ; White & Cane 1986).
Peterson (1976) acknowledges that there are constraints on communication between
neighbouring bands of lasting significance. For example, where topographic barriers are
present, these will impose potential boundaries in the communication system, and as such
23
wiJI contribute to the development of bounded or partially bounded units. However, in
the absence of such barriers, he believes that the boundaries of linguistic units will be iJI
defined. This being the case, blurred boundaries to social and linguistic groups are to be
considered inevitable (Peterson 1976).
Bulbeck and Boot (1991) make a similar point, noting that rather than there being sharp
linguistic boundaries within Australia, Aboriginal linguistic and social patterns appear to
demonstrate stepped clining. Given this, a particular dialect may have been predominant
over a substantial area, but it is rarely possible to circumscribe a cluster of bands that had
complete linguistic homogeneity.
6.3 The Pre-Contact Aboriginal Economy in the Sydney Region.
As indicated in the beginning of this chapter, it would appear that the resource rich
coastal zone of the Sydney region supported a relatively large Aboriginal population
around the period of initial European contact. The early ethnohistoric accounts for the
region indicate that these people had a predominantly coastal based economy. Collins
(1798) reports :
"Those who live on the sea coast depend entirely on fish for their subsistence".
However, other early accounts reveal that the Aboriginal people of the coastal region did
not rely solely on ocean resources. In Tench's account of the first six months of
colonisation, he states:
" (they) wholly depend for food on the few fruits they gather; the roots they dig
up in the swamps; and the fish they pick up along the shore, or contrive to strike
from their canoes with spears. Fishing, indeed, seems to engross nearly the whole
oftheir time, probably from its forming the chiefpart oftheir subsistence"
(Tench 1789)
White (1790) provides a description of the spears used by the local people for obtaining
fish.
, Their spears are made ofa kind ofcane which grows out ofthe tree that
produces the yellow gum; they are ten or twelve feet long, pointed and sometimes
barbed with a piece ofthe same cane or the teeth offish. "
24
Kohen and Lampert (1987) cite several accounts of the types hooks used by the local
inhabitants for catching fish. These hooks are described as being made from the inside of
the turban shell (Turbo torquata) which was broken into a ring, two or three centimetres
in diameter, and then ground into a crescent shape. and notched at one end to attach the
line. The line was made by twisting together long strands of the inner bark of trees.
As reflected in the archaeological record for the region, the diet of fish was supplemented
by a range of shellfish, obtained from the rock platforms and sandy beaches of the open
coast and the mud flats of the estuaries (see Chapter 8 for further discussion).
Other early accounts indicate that terrestrial fauna also constituted a component of the
coastal Aborigines diet. Hunter for .example observes that;
"The natives were employed in burning the grass on the shore opposite to Sydney,
in order to catch rats and other animals...this is their constant practice in dry
weather." (As cited by Kohen & Lampert 1987).
Archaeological remains excavated from rockshelter sites around the Port Jackson
Catchment include the bones of Kangaroos and other macropods, supporting these early
observations.
Kohen and Lampert (1987) contend that plant foods may also have been an important·
component of the coastal Aborigines diet. They state that these plant foods were located
in three major environmental zones. The steep sand stone gullies that lined the Harbour
was rich in fruits such as figs and apple berries. In the swampy margins there were a
range of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants with edible tubers. The sandstone country
provided numerous flowers which contain sweet nectar.
25
7.0 POST CONTACT ABORIGINAL SOCIETY
The following section provides a general background on the Aboriginal post contact
history of the Sydney region. This history is important for all Australians to know in
order to gain an understanding of why those sites surviving today are of such great
importance to Aboriginal people.
Within a few years of the arrival of the European First Fleet Settlers, Aboriginal
populations within the Sydney region were beginning to be severely effected either
directly through aggression, or indirectly through the loss of resources and the
introduction of diseases.
It is reported that as early as May 1788, incidences of conflict had broken out between the
two cultures. A report by Elder (1988) provides an early account of a convict working in
the Sydney Cove area, who killed an Aboriginal man. As a reprisal for this murder, the
local Aboriginal inhabitants killed two convicts working in the area known as
Rushcutters Bay, these being William Okey and Samuel Davis (Elder 1988).
In response to these initial outbreaks of violence, Governor Phillip advocated that
Europeans working beyond the settlement should take a more cautious approach in
dealing with the local inhabitants. However the temporary peace was short lived. A deep
mutual mistrust had begun to develop between the two cultures, resulting in further
bloodshed (Kohen & Lampert 1987).
Much of this conflict centred around competition for the natural resources in the region.
As Kohen (1985) points out, the influx of this large European population, and the rapid
expansion of the colonies, led to a depletion of the natural resources available to the
Aboriginal people. Not only were the natural resources of the region diminishing through
increased harvesting, but Aboriginal people's access to the remaining resources was also
severely restricted, as their land was taken over through colonisation.
In the first phase of colonisation, the Aboriginal lands in and around the Sydney!
Parramatta district was taken over and transformed for fanning purposes. Within a short
period, the colonial settlement expanded out along the Hawkesbury and Georges River,
eventually pushing into the Forested areas of the Cumberland Plain. By 1815, this
colonial expansion had spread into the Illawarra and Hunter Valley districts.
26
This expansion of the colonies was consolidated by force. Under the orders issued by
Governor King in 1801, the Aboriginal groups gathered around Parramatta, the Georges
River and Prospect Hill were to be "driven back from the settlers' habitations by firing at
them".
With these prime resource zones no longer available to the local Aboriginal inhabitants,
the food quest became increasingly difficult. There are several accounts from around this
period of Aboriginal people in the Sydney region seemingly dying from starvation. In
desperation, Aboriginal groups are reported to have attempted raids upon European
settlements in order to obtain food (Ganjoo & Fritis 1993).
Within two years of the arrival of the First Reeters, there were reports of Small Pox
having broken out in the Sydney area. For the local Aboriginal inhabitants, who had not
been exposed to this disease before, the effects were severe. It is estimated that within a
period of only two years, thousands of Aboriginal people occupying the Sydney region
had died from this disease. A report by Collins in 1798 states that one of the clans
occupying the Sydney area, the Cadigal Clan, was reduced from 60 people in 1788 to
only three people in 1790 (Collins 1975).
Other European diseases and viruses which severely afflicted the Aboriginal people in the
Sydney region are venereal diseases and respiratory ailments such as influenza.
Within 50 years of the Arrival of the First Fleet colonists, it is estimated that there were
only 300 Aboriginal people still living in the Sydney region. These remnant survivors of
the numerous clan groups which once occupied the region, joined together to form new
groups. The survivors of the various clans around the Port Jackson area, combined to
form what was known as the 'Sydney tribe. The main camp for this group was around the
northern side of Sydney Harbour. The Aboriginal people around the southern shore
joined to form the Botany Bay tribe, with their main camp area being around the heads at
Botany. Other newly established groups in the area included the Kissing Point tribe and
the Broken Bay tribe (Ganjoo & Fritis 1993).
By the mid 1800's, the increasing spread of European settlement was having the same
disastrous effects upon Aboriginal populations throughout the eastern coast region. As
with the Sydney region, many of the surviving Aboriginal people in these areas were
27
forced from their land. Others however chose to remain on their traditional land, and
began taking up farming practices. These people, who were viewed by Europeans as
squatters, petitioned the state government to restore some of their traditional lands to
them (Ganjoo & Fritis 1993).
In the period of the early 1880s, the Government was establishing a board to oversee
Aboriginal people (The Aborigines Protection Board). Among other tasks, this board took
responsibility for addressing the land petitions made by Aboriginal people. In many
instances their response to these petitions was to proclaim select areas as reserves, where
Aboriginal people could live and farm the land. One such reserve was established at La
Perouse. Throughout the period of disruption to Aboriginal society, a small group of local
clan descendants had remained living at La Perouse. This group was frequently bolstered
by visiting Aboriginal people from the south coast, who had set up semi-permanent
camps along the shore of Botany Bay. The land along the La Perouse beach was
eventually given as a grant to one of these descendants, Emma Timbery. In 1883 the La
Perouse area was officially recognised as a Government reserve, and came to be known
as 'Aborigines Camp' (LAC 1988).
By 1900, 114 Aboriginal reserves had been created, over half of which were in response
to Aboriginal petitions for land. The remainder were established to satisfy European
demands for the containment and segregation of Aboriginal communities around towns
(Goodalll99l).
In the early 1900s, there was increasing pressure placed on Government to take back
Aboriginal reserve lands throughout the State. Much of this pressure was being directed
from the European working class community, who themselves were demanding land
settlements with Government. In response to these pressures, the Aboriginal Protection
Board did a turn of face on it's policy of supporting Aboriginal self sufficiency on
reserves. In the period between 1911 to 1927, independent and productive Aboriginal
reserves were closed down inorder to facilitate European town expansions. Of the 27000
acres of reserve land established by 1911, 13 000 acres had been reclaimed by 1927. The
majority of this reclaimed land was located along the fertile eastern coast (Ganjoo &
Fritis 1993).
On the remaining reserves, the Aboriginal Protection board installed resident European
managers. Under the direction of the Protection Board, many of these managers
28
attempted to impose stringent rules on the Aboriginal populations occupying the reserves.
In addition, they began implementing a policy of removing Aboriginal children from the
reserves, as soon as reached the age of puberty. These children were sent out to European
residents, to act as domestic servants (Ganjoo & Fritis 1993).
i'
29
8.0 PREVIOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN THE PORT JACKSON
CATCHMENT AREA
Archaeological investigations in the Port Jackson Catchment area commenced almost as
soon as Europeans arrived in the region. The nature of these investigations may be
summarised under two main headings.
\) Excavation and collection.
2) Field survey and site recording.
8.1 Excavation and Collection
The first reported excavation in the Sydney region occurred in April 1788, when
Governor Arthur Phillip ordered the excavation of a burial mound located along one of
the branches of Middle Harbour. This excavation was part of an investigation undertaken
by Phillip as to the life and customs of the Aboriginal people living in the area at the time
(Attenbrow 1990).
During the 19th century and early 20th century, numerous excavations of Aboriginal sites
were undertaken in the Sydney region. As Attenbrow (1990) comments, the methods
used in these excavations were inadequate by today's standards, with little or no
recordings or documentation of the findings having been made There were however a few
exceptions. David, a professor of Geology and Etheridge a Palaeontologist, were
involved in a number of excavations of Aboriginal sites in the Sydney region, the results
of which were published in scientific journals (See Attenbrow 1990). All of these sites
are located just outside the Port Jackson Catchment area.
In the 1960's Australian Archaeology / Prehistory became established as a discipline in
Australia. This heralded a dramatic increase in the number of excavations undertaken in
the Sydney Region, the majority of which were published.
Since the 1960's eight Aboriginal sites have been excavated in the Port Jackson
Catchment area. The majority of these excavations were undertaken as part of
management or salvage programs, as opposed to academic research purposes The
exception is the Balls Head excavation (Miles 1964 ; Bowdler 197\).
Of these eight excavation projects, reports have been published for only two midden sites,
Balls Head (Miles 1964; Bowdler 1971) and Bantry Bay (Ross and Specht 1976).
30
Dates from excavated material have been obtained from two sites. At Bantry Bay, a
charcoal sample obtained from the base of an excavated midden, produced a basal date of
4520 ± 100 years bp (SUA-593), which when calibrated dated to 4 070 ± 105 years bp
(Ross & Specht 1976). At Reef Beach, a shell sample which was collected during the
salvage of skeletal remains, produced an uncalibrated date of 1 ISO ± 90 years bp (SUA
401) (O'Donnell & Walker 1982).
8.2 Field Surveys and Site Recordings
Prior to 1970, the majority of information available for Aboriginal Sites in NSW had
been recorded by interested members of the general public. These people tended to focus
upon the more easily recognised site types such as paintings and rock engravings. Site
types such as middens and deposits were generally overlooked. The main exception being
the work conducted by Rosemary Taplin, who, in the 1960's recorded over 100 midden
and deposit sites.
Much of the site information recorded by people in the Sydney area, before 1970, was
submitted to the Australian Museum. This information was in tum placed into an index..of
archaeological sites, which had been established by P.O. McCarthy (then Curator of the.
Australian Museum). Unfortunately, the information provided for sites was usually very
brief and generalised.
In 1969 the first National Parks and Wildlife Act was passed, which included a provision
for the protection of Aboriginal sites (NPWS Act, No.35). The passing of this Act
provided the basis for the establishment of the NPWS Sites Register. Any information
previously recorded for sites was placed onto site record cards, for inclusion on the
register. This included the information collated by the Australian Museum. The NSW
Sites Register, which is maintained by the NPWS, is now the major source of information
for archaeological sites recorded in NSW.
Attenbrow (1990) reports that in mid 1988 there were 437 sites recorded on the Sites
Register for the Port Jackson Catchment area. In analysing the available information for
these sites, Attenbrow (1990) was able to determine that 56% (246 sites) were registered
as being middens or deposits. Paintings or engravings accounted for 48% of the sites. 4%
of sites were recorded as grinding grooves, while the remainder of sites were either
31
burials, scarred trees, or water holes. (N.B. Attenbrow mentions that some rockshelter
sites also have middens and paintings. Hence the fact that percentages do not add up to
100.
Of particular interest to this project are the shell middens and art sites recorded in this
area.
8.3 Shell Middens and Deposit Sites
In the past decade there has been several research projects focusing on the analysis of the
data recorded for middens and deposits. Two of the more in depth studies of this nature
are that of Hawthorne (1982) and Attenbrow (1990).
As part of her BA (Hons) Thesis, Hawthorne (1982) analysed the site location data for
sites identified on the northern side of Port Jackson, between Gladesville and French's
Forest. From this analyses, Hawthorne (1982) was able to identify the following broad
locational trends for midden and deposit sites.
Middens in rockshelters tend to be located near the littoral zone, with 96% occurring
within 100m of the littoral zone, and 53% within 10m ofthis zone. Rockshelter middens
tended to occur close to freshwater sources and were predominantly facing in a northerly
direction. These sites also tended to occur most frequently in areas near mud flats (34%)
and rock platforms (32.5%), with 21% being located high on hill sides and 12.5%
adjacent to bays and sandy beaches (Hawthorne 1982).
With regard to open shell middens (middens not associated with rockshelters) Hawthorne
(1982) reports that they most commonly occur on or adjacent to rock platforms. The vast
majority of open middens were located within 10m of the littoral zone (77%). The
maximum elevation of these sites above the littoral zone was 30m, with the majority
(71%) occurring below an elevation of Sm. There was a slight trend for open middens to
be facing in a northerly orientation.
In the analysis of the contents of shell middens, Hawthorne (1982) not surprisingly found
that the shellfish content of middens reflects the local environment. Those middens
located near the open sea contain coast rock platform species, while those in estuarine
areas contain a few species of estuarine shellfish.
32
As mentioned previously, in mid 1988 there were 246 midden and deposit sites recorded
on the Sites Register for the Port Jackson Catchment area. By 1990, Attenbrow (1990)
reports that the number of midden and deposit sites identified in the Port Jackson
Catchment had increased to 369. Attenbrow herself recorded 35 of these additional sites,
as part of her field work undertaken between 1988 & 1989 (Attenbrow 1990).
Of the 369 midden and deposit sites, 126 are classified as open middens, 203 are middens
in rockshelters, six are open middens associated with small rockshelters, 27 are deposits
in rockshelters and 7 are open deposits (open artefact scatters). Interestingly, 45 of the
middens and deposits in rockshelters are associated with art (Attenbrow 1990).
In the report on stage 1 of the Port Jackson Archaeological Project, Attenbrow (1990)
presents the following findings based on the analysis of the available data for these sites.
The majority of registered middens and deposits are located in the estuarine reaches of
Port Jackson and it's tributaries. No middens were recorded in the fresh water zones of
Port Jackson, however there were 25 deposit sites recorded in the fresh water zones.
Of the 369 midden and deposit sites registered to date, 229 (62%) occur along the
foreshore zone, within 10m of the high water level. 81 sites (22%) are located on the"
sides of ridges, while only three sites (1%) have been recorded on ridgetops. There was
not sufficient information to determine the environmental setting for 56 sites (15%).
Attenbrow (1990) suggests that this general pattern of site location may be a reasonably
accurate reflection of the distribution of sites prior to European occupation. It is however
acknowledged that the proportion of midden and deposit sites on the ridge sides may be
presently under-represented to some degree in the Port Jackson Catchment.
Attenbrow (1990) acknowledges that the analysis of the contents of shell middens and
deposit sites located in the Port Jackson Catchmentis still in the preliminary stages.
However, the work undertaken up until 1990 had revealed several general trends in terms
of site content.
An analysis of shell material revealed that Rock oysters (Saccostrea cucullata / S.
commercialis) and/or the Sydney cockle (Anadara trapezia) predominated at the majority
of midden sites located in the estuarine zones. Other species commonly represented at
33
these sites are the Hairy mussel (Trichomya hirsuta), Hercules whelk (Pyrazus ebeninus)
, Mud oyster (Ostrea angasi), Spiny oyster (Chama fibula), the Wink (Bembicum
auratum) and the Australian hom shell (Velacumantus australis).
With those middens located near the open sea, Attenbrow (1990) reports that there were
numerous species represented in the shell debris. The species which made up the large
proportion of the debris in most of these middens was Black nerita (Nerita atramentosa),
Spengler's triton (Cabestana spengleri), Limpets (particularly Cellana tramoserica) and
the large Heavy Turban (Turbo torquatus).
Attenbrow (1990) believes that the evidence from some of the excavated sites indicates
that Aboriginal people were col1ecting shellfish around the harbour foreshores at least 4
.500 years ago, and that in some instances there is evidence to suggest there was change
over time in the predominance of particular shellfish species that was eaten.
Attenbrow (1990) notes the presence of stone artefacts at numerous midden and deposit
sites. For the majority of sites (71%) less than 10 artefacts were reported. The highest
numbers of artefacts were recorded at two excavated middens, Balls Head (450 artefacts)
and Balls Head (392 artefacts). No mention is made as to the range of material types
represented in the assemblages, however numerous tool types were identified (Attenbrow
1990).
More than half of the middens and deposits recorded in the Port Jackson Catchment
(PJC) are reported as having been disturbed to some degree. The most commonly cited
agent of disturbance was natural erosion which had affected 206 sites (56%). Other
common agencies of disturbance include foot traffic through sites (23%), camping I
picnic activity (24%), landscaping (16.5%) and vegetation (10.5%) (Attenbrow 1990).
Attenbrow (1990) rated the condition of the majority of the midden and deposit sites
recorded in the (PJC). The rating of the condition of these sites was based on the surface
evidence available at the time of the recording of sites. Fifty eight sites (16%) are
recorded as totally or highly disturbed, 31% were regarded as being partially disturbed, as
there was likely to be some in situ deposit present. Twenty percent of sites were classified
as undisturbed or relatively undisturbed, with four middens having been almost entirely
covered by roof fall which protects these sites from further disturbance.
34
Attenbrow (1990) has also rated the research and excavation potential of midden and
deposit sites in the PIC, in accordance with her own research aims, which is the analysis
of information regarding the land and aquatic animals eaten by Aboriginal people, the
raw materials utilised for tools and weapons, and changes that took 'place over time with
these two variables (see Attenbrow 1990 for full details). A total of 186 sites (51%) were
considered to have poor research potential, while 63 sites (17%) were classified as having
excellent or good research potential. With regard to excavation potential, 67 sites were
deemed to have excellent potential, while 195 sites were considered to have poor
excavation potential. There was not enough available information to assess the research
potential for 69 sites and the excavation potential for 67 sites (Attenbrow 1990).
8.4 Rock Art Sites Across the Sydney Basin
Since the 1930's there has been a great deal of archaeological research focusing on the
Aboriginal art forms present in the Sydney Region. One of the most recent and most
comprehensive of these studies is that of McDonald (1990). The overall aim of
McDonald's project was to define the nature and extent of art sites in the Sydney Basin in
order to facilitate the development of a framework for site assessment and management.
The project was undertaken in three stages. In stage 1 a detailed assessment was
undertaken of the NPWS site data base. In Stage 2 McDonald made a detailed field
recording of selected shelter art sites from the central and north-western regions of the
Sydney Basin. This was done in order to quantify the variations perceived in the Stage 1
analysis. Stage 3 entailed a brief field recording program to upgrade the statistical sample
size of rock engraving sites, followed by a statistical analysis of the expanded data base
(McDonald (1990).
The boundaries of McDonald's study area was defined as the geological extent of the
Hawkesbury Sandstone within the Sydney Basin. The area is estimated to be over
17 OOOsq km (McDonald 1990). At the time of completion of her study, McDonald states
that there were just over 3 500 art sites identified in this region. This represents over 55%
of the entire archaeological resource documented in the region. Given the fact that only a
small percentage of the region has been subjected to systematic survey, McDonald
postulates that there could be over 100 000 shelter art sites and 200 000 engraving sites in
the Sydney Basin (McDonald 1990).
35
Based on the limited systematic survey work completed to date, McDonald (1990)
tentatively suggests that the distribution of known sites indicates that the density of both
art forms varies across the region. This may however be the result of recorder / sample
bias (McDonald 1990).
With regard to shelter art sites, there does not appear to be a dramatic variation in site
densities across the region. The vast majority of these sites are located within sandstone
overhangs or shelters, on hill slopes or just above creeklines. McDonald (1990) suggests
that drinking water may be an important criteria for site location with the average
distance of sites to water being approximately 250m.
The average number of motifs at shelter art sites in the region is 26 motifs per site. The
majority of sites contain less than ten motifs, with 31 sites having only one motif. The
largest site in the region, Swinston's contains 857 motifs (McDonald 1990).
Approximately 25% of shelter art sites in the region contain occupational deposit in the
form of shell and/or artefactual material. Other less frequently recorded associations with
shelter art sites include grinding grooves, stone arrangements, open engraving sites and
burials.
McDonald (1990) identifies three major types of pigment applications in the region, these
being dry and wet manual application (drawing and painting) and stencilling. The
production of depictive motifs by the application of dry pigment is reported as the most
common style, followed by stencilling, while painting is quite rare.
The motifs produced by the depictive techniques are predominantly figurative and take
several forms including outline, solid, and outline with infill . The most commonly
depicted motifs are of macropods, anthropomorphs and other land animals and birds.
Marine depictions are reported to be quite rare, in comparison with their dominance in the
engraved assemblage. The predominant colours used in depictive motifs is black,
followed by red, white and yellow. The proportion of colour usage varies through the
region. In the north-west, there is more of a usage of the white pigment, the yellow
pigment is very common around the Mangrove Creek area, while the black pigment
predominates in the art south of the Georges river (McDonald 1990).
36
Stencil fonus are predominantly of hands and hand variations including wrists, forearms
and closed fists. Stencils of feet, material objects (ie boomerangs, axes, clubs etc), parts
of animals (ie macropods' feet, fish tails etc) and floral items (ferns, leaves etc) have also
been recorded. McDonald notes that in tenus of motif preference, localised variability
through the region does occur. Stencilling is predominantly done with red or white
pigment, although black and yellow stencils have been recorded. McDonald notes that on
a regional basis it is possible to identify a distinctive decline in the presence of stencilling
through from the north to the south of the region (McDonald 1990).
With regard to schematic differences within the assemblage, the Georges River appears to
be a delineation marker. South of this border, quadrupeds are depicted with four legs,
echidnae are depicted in plan as "pelts" as opposed to in profile and many
anthropomorphic motifs are shown with their heads in profile and in "active" positions
(McDonald 1990).
37
9.0 PREVIOUS ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN THE PROJECT
AREAS
There are currently eight Aboriginal sites within the Leichhardt Municipality listed on the
NSW NPWS Sites register (NPWS Minark printout). There has however, reportedly been
other potential Aboriginal sites identified within the Leichhardt Municipality. As
mentioned in the Introduction of this report, eight Aboriginal sites or potential sites have
been identified within the two study areas. Outside the two study areas Guider has
recorded a midden site at White Horse Point (NPWS Site Number 45-8-1900) and a rock
shelter I midden site containing rock art (NPWS Site Number 45-8-1809) at 20 River St,
Birchgrove.
9.1 Callan Point (Rozelle Hospital)
Five of the reported sites in the Leichhardt Municipality are located at Callan Point, on
the grounds of the Rozelle hospital. All of these sites, which were identified by a number
of researchers (Attenbrow, Corkhill, Guider, Smith) are described as middens or potential
middens.
The NSW NPWS Aboriginal Sites Register currently lists five recorded sites at Callan
Point (within the Rozelle Hospital grounds). These are recorded as:
* Midden I Rock engraving (NPWS Site Number 45-6-0618)
* Midden (NPWS Site Number 45-6-148l)
* Shelter I Midden (NPWS Site Number 45-6-1971)
* Shelter I Midden (NPWS Site Number 45-6-1972)
* Shelter I Midden (NPWS Site Number 45-6-283)
In June 1991, an inspection of the Callan Point area, was undertaken by Dr Val
Attenbrow, an archaeologist from the Australian Museum. Attenbrow concluded from
this inspection that only two of the Aboriginal sites recorded in the area were definitively
sites. The other three potential sites would require further investigation before any
conclusions could be made as to their status. Guider, in a site inspection at Callan Point
with Metropolitan Land Council representatives in 1990, reported to NPWS that they
doubted whether recorded Site 45-6-1481 (NPWS Site) was actually a site.
38
Of the two confirmed midden sites, Val Attenbrow indicated that she believed one site
was of particular importance. This site (NPWS Site Number 45-6-283) is located just
above the highwater mark, on the north-east side of Callan point, adjoining King George
Park. It is described as a shell midden which lies underneath a low rock shelter. The roof
of the shelter has collapsed. covering the majority of the midden area. This fortuitous
event has resulted in the midden having been relatively well preserved from recent
disturbance processes.
Because of it's well preserved nature, Attenbrow considered this midden to be one of the
most important Aboriginal sites (from an archaeological perspective) remaining on the
southern shores of Sydney Harbour, and as such was rated as a high priority for future
excavation.
The other confirmed midden site (NPWS Site Number 45-6-0618) in the area is situated
above the cliff line, right on the pinnacle of Callan Point. Attenbrow considered that this
midden site was likely to be a very shallow deposit, and somewhat disturbed in nature.
The midden site lies nearby to European rock engravings.
Dr Attenbrow provided the Leichhardt Council with a series of management
recommendations for the sites located in this area. These include:
- There should be no clearing, excavation, development, or planting in the Callan Point
area without prior consultation with herself, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife
Service (NPWS) and the Metropolitan Land Council.
- Re-vegetation was considered to be a good protective measure for the midden sites.
- Interpretive signs for the sites should be established in the area.
- Access tracks in the vicinity of the point need to be restricted, in order to reduce
potential impacts on the sites. Access tracks should be confined either to the shoreline, or
high up on the cliff line.
In 1990 a Heritage Study of the Rozelle Hospital was commissioned by the Special
Projects Section of the NSW Public Works Department. This study was undertaken by
39
several employees of the Environmental Design Section of the Public Works Department
(PWD).
The report, documenting the findings of this study, identifies Callan Point as being
significant on a number of levels. These include:
- The areas aesthetic and historic value as a rare surviving example of the pre-European
foreshore in Iron Cove;
- The presence of relics of Aboriginal habitation in a natural setting;
- The presence of European rock carvings.
(NSW PWD 1991)
The same report also provides a series of recommendations specifically directed towards
the conservation and management of the Aboriginal sites located at the point. These are:
- Carry out an archaeological investigation, prior to any future disturbance in the area;
- Any disturbance of, or near Aboriginal sites (such as clearing, re-vegetation, demolition
or construction) must be approved by the NPWS in accordance with the NPWS Act 1974;
- Advice should be sought from the Metropolitan LALC regarding site management;
- The introduction of interpretive signs for Aboriginal and European heritage sites;
- The existing access tracks crossing some middens should be discreetly hidden through
general re-vegetation works, using indigenous species.
Beyond these specific recommendations for the Aboriginal sites, the report also makes
the general recommendation that the whole of the Callan Point be the subject of a detailed
conservation plan. This plan would form the basis for specific conservation and design
guidelines and for the development of continuing maintenance programs.
9.2 Yurulbin Point
40
'.
Mr Michael Guider (the pre-mentioned member of the public) has identified a rock
shelter / midden / art site (NPWS Site Number 45--6-2287) and two potential midden /
rock shelter sites, all located along the north-west shoreline of Yurulbin Point.
In June 1991, an inspection of these sites was undertaken by Mr Guider, Mr Carr (Sites
Officer with the Metropolitan LALC) and Mr Hawken and Bruce Lay from the
Leichhardt Council. The purpose of this inspection was to clarify the location of these
sites and to obtain advise from Mr Carr and Mr Guider as to the significance values and
appropriate conservation measures for the sites.
The following details for these sites comes from the Leichhardt Council report on this
inspection, submitted by Bruce Lay.
All of the sites identified at Yurulbin Point are located just above the former shoreline or
high water mark. As such, they lie within private property, rather than in the MSB owned
reclamations.
The art site identified in this area is located on the property of No.9 Numa Street. Below
the cliff line on this property is a low shallow rock shelter, in which Mr Michael Guider
has detected several hand stencils and a charcoal outline of a shark. Guider is of the
opinion that these stencils were made by a greased hand and the application of a white
ochre spray. The stencils are reported by Guider to be barely discernible, due to fading
and the weathering of the sandstone. In the same shelter, a small scatter of shell was also
identified. The shell is reported to be dispersed, and sparse.
At the time of the inspection, some graffiti was noted on the shelter wall, as well as
evidence of fires having been recently lit within the shelter. In light of this, the
investigating party were concerned that these sites may be subject to damage if protective
measures aren't undertaken in the near future.
On the same property, below the cliff line adjoining Numa Street, another potential
midden / rock shelter site has been identified. Again, the shell contained in this midden is
described as being sparse and dispersed.
On an adjacent property, 144 Louisa Road, a third potential midden site has been
identified. The site is described as being a substantial concentration of shell, located
41
underneath the over hang of a cliff. A natural spring has also been identified at the
shelter, which would provide a semi-permanent source of fresh water. It is reported that
there has been some disturbance of the site through the levelling of the ground for the
installation of seats etc. Nonetheless, Guider considered this site to be the most important
Aboriginal occupation site still remaining in Balmain.
Mr Carr stated that he was in favour of allowing public access to the sites in this area. He
also supported the installation of interpretive signs and the establishment of guided
Aboriginal tours for the sites, as an educational measure. He did however advise that
protective measures may need to be taken in order to prevent further disturbance to the
sites.
Mr Bruce Lay from the Leichhardt Council has also expressed his support for the
implementation of these protective measures.
Although not within the designated project areas, it is worth noting that Michael Guider
has also recorded an Aboriginal art site approximately 3km to the south west ofYurulbin
Point, at 20 River Street, Birchgrove (previously mentioned NPWS Site Number 45-6
1809). Several hand stencils were recorded at this site, which has subsequently been
destroyed by development in 1990. Mr Lay has advised that the Leichhardt Council was
unaware of the existence of the site prior to it being destroyed.
42
10.0 FIELD WORK METHODOLOGY
The field work Methodology adopted for this project varied according to the specific
nature and requirements of each site investigated. One of the major factors which
influenced the decision to adopt a given approach towards sites was the expressed wishes
of the representatives of the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council. Mary and Jenny Coe
were consulted as to the possible approaches which may be adopted for each site, the
objectives which could be achieved by selecting such an approach and the potential
impact that each approach may have upon a site.
Section 3.2 of the report lists the details to be recorded when recording sites.
The following outlines the methodological approach adopted for each site and the reasons
why this particular approach was decided upon.
10.1 Callan Point
Two main sites had previously been positively identified at Callan Point, on the grounds
of the Rozelle Hospital. The first of these was a rockshelter / shell midden located down
at the sandy cove at Callan Point. The second site is an open midden located on the
headland at Callan Point.
The possibility of excavating one or both of these middens was raised with Mary and
Jenny Coe. Both Mary and Jenny were adamant that from the Land Council's perspective,
this was not the preferred option at this stage. They both felt that the two middens were
relatively stable at this point in time and as such it was not necessary to destroy the site
through excavation. The preferred option from their perspective was to accurately record
both sites and to establish management recommendations which would ensure that the
sites remain in a stable condition.
They did not rule out the possibility of excavating one or both of these sites at a later
stage.
From an archaeological perspective we would concur with this view. Where midden and
deposit sites are not under immediate threat of damage or destruction, conservation rather
43
than excavation is the preferred option to be adopted. The exception to this, is where the
excavation of such sites may provide valuable information for regional research
investigations. Val Attenbrow is currently undertaking research as to the nature of pre
contact Aboriginal occupation in the Port Jackson Catchment. As part of this
investigation, Attenbrow has excavated numerous middens in the catchment area. The
possibility of excavating the midden sites at Callan Point may be justified in the future, as
part of this investigation.
The approach deCided upon for the midden sites at Callan point was to document the
location and surface contents of each site, and to identify management options which
would ensure the continued conservation of each site.
A surface survey of the entire area comprising Callan Point was also undertaken to
ascertain if there were any additional archaeological material present which had not been
previously identified. Transects were walked throughout the study area. Given the poor
surface visibility within the study area, these transects focused primarily upon areas of
existing surface exposure, such as selected graded tracks, walking tracks etc.
Maps and photos of the area are included as a supplement to the written record.
10.2 Yurulbin Point
At Yurulbin Point two rockshelters and one previously identified rock shelter I art site
had been selected for AASC to investigate. All three site areas are located within 100m of
each other.
Although no artefactual material had been identified at the two rockshelters, given their
close proximity to the rock art site, it was expected that there was a high likelihood of
sub-surface artefactual material being present at both sites.
Mary and Jenny Coe were both consulted regarding the possibility of either excavating
one or both of these rockshelters, or test pitting one or both of the shelters to establish the
presence or absence of artefactual material. Again, they indicated that this was not the
preferred option of the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council. Given the potential for
sub-surface artefactual material being present at both sites, and the relatively stable
condition of both sites, it was suggested that at this stage a detailed recording of both
44
shelters would be the preferred option. This could be supplemented with the provision of
management recommendations for both shelters.
At a later stage of the project, John Clegg, Nicholas Hall and Katherine Sale (all
archaeologists and rock art specialists) were taken on a site inspection of the area. All
three workers agreed with the sentiments of Mary and Jenny Coe, regarding the suggested
approach to the two rockshelters.
From an archaeological perspective, AASC were also in agreement with this suggestion.
As previously stated for the sites at Callan Point, where deposit sites (or potential deposit
sites) are not under immediate threat of damage or destruction, conservation rather than
excavation is the preferred option to be adopted.
Again, the exception to this is where the excavation of such sites may provide valuable
information for regional research investigations. The possibility may be available for
these two shelters to be subjected to sub-surface testing as part of Val Attenbrow's on
going research in the region.
The approach decided upon for the two rockshelters was to accurately plot the
dimensions of the shelters, to note the locality and environmental setting of the shelters
and to provide management recommendations to ensure their future conservation. Any
artefactual evidence located would also be recorded. Photos and maps accompany the
written documentation.
With regard to the rock art site, Mary and Jenny Coe had no particular concerns regarding
the methodology employed in recording these sites. They did however express concern
that the site be conserved.
As mentioned previously, AASC invited John Clegg, Nicholas Hall and Katherine Sale to
make an inspection of the rock art site at Yurulbin Point, with the purpose of gaining
advice as to possible recording procedures and management options which may be
adopted for this site. Given the difficulty in visualising the stencils on the shelter wall,
AASC employed the specialist skills of Katherine Sale to carry out this recording.
The proposed management options are outlined in Chapter 13 of this report
45
11.0 RESULTS I DISCUSSION FOR CALLAN POINT
As mentioned in Chapter 9 of this report, two midden sites had previously been positively
identified at Callan Point. The first of these is an open midden site located on the
headland of Callan Point (NPWS Site Number 45-6-0618). The second is a shelter I
midden site located in a sandy bay below the east cliffs of the headland (NPWS Site
Number 45-6-283).
11.1 The Open Midden Site (NPWS Site Number 45-6-Q(18)
In the course of the survey of the immediate headland at Callan Point, AASC located and
recorded three main concentrations of shell debris (See Diagram I; Plate 1).
The first of these is a concentration of shell approximately 205m x 1m which is eroding
out of a small grass slope on the centre of the headland (See Plate 2). The depth of the
shell deposit appears to be quite shallow (between 5-20cm). Rock oyster shell dominates
the shell deposit, with no other species noted.
The second concentration of shell material is located approximately 7m north-east of
concentration 1. It is a 1m x 1m concentration of shell material which is eroding out of a
grass bank on the eastern edge of the headland (See Plate 3). Again the shell deposit
appears to be quite shallow (between 5-20cm). The Rock oyster was the only shellfish
species represented in the debris.
Concentration 3 is located at the basal eastern slopes of the headland, approximately 12m
east of concentration 2. The dimensions of the concentration are 4m x 3m and varies in
depth from 5-15cm. Two shellfish species were noted in this deposit, the Rock oyster and
the Sydney cockle, with the Rock oyster predominating.
On the slope leading from concentration 2 down to concentration 3, shell was noted
scattered over an area approximately 10m x 1m (See Plate 4).
Given the close proximity of shell concentrations 1 and 2, we would suggest that they are
both part of the one open midden site. The Callan Point headland is quite heavily grassed
and it is therefore likely that the remainder of the midden site is presently obscured by
46
-....-.... ,, '-,'--
C a Cl 0
.. 0 Q 0
0' o 0 0·0 •
(J]m_....
----
~NIOd t.lV'l'IV:> ~v illlVIaYml'3H~ NO N.30QIW TIgHS N:!IdQ m.L .!to NVId : '[ WVl:I9VIO
Lv
48
617
vegetative cover. The extent of the site at this stage, is unknown. But based on the
distance between the two concentrations we can estimate the minimum site dimensions as
being 7m x 2m.
We would suggest that Concentration 3 is a build up of shell which has eroded out of the
open shell midden on the headland, and has washed down the slope to collect among the
rocks at the basal slopes (See Plate 5). This would also explain the scatter of shell noted
on the slopes between concentration 2 and 3.
No stone artefactual material was found in direct association with the shell
concentrations. However, two shells of the Sydney cockle species displayed signs of
possible usewear along their edges. It is possible that both of these shells had been
utilised as cutting implements (See Plate 6).
In terms of site location and site content, this open shell midden comorms with the trend
established by both Hawthorne (1982) and Attenbrow (1990) for middens in the region.
As with the vast majority of middens recorded in the Port Jackson Catchment, this site is
located in the estuarine reaches of Port Jackson, within IO-15m of the high water level, at
an elevation below 10m ASL. The predominant shell species noted at this site, are the
same which have been noted for the majority of sites throughout the PJC, these being the
Rock oyster and the Sydney cockle.
Attenbrow notes that more than half of the middens and deposits recorded in the Port
Jackson Catchment (PJC) are reported as having been disturbed to some degree. The
most commonly cited agent of disturbance was natural erosion which had affected (56%)
of sites and foot traffic through 23% of sites.
The open midden site at Callan Point suffers from both these forms of disturbance. A
worn track, resulting from consistent foot traffic, runs from the northern basal slopes of
the headland up between shell concentrations I and 2. If, as we assume, these two
concentrations are part of the one open midden site, then this track runs straight through
the middle of this site. A branch of this track runs down the eastern slopes of the
headland to the area where shell concentration 3 is located. Again, this track is the result
of consistent foot traffic. The remainder of the headland is covered with vegetation,
which has consolidated the shallow soil deposit of this area. There appears however, to
50
Plilieo: Possi6lesnelftoolSIdentified in shell concentration 3 (Callan Point).
51
have been no immediate development at this site which would suggest that the midden
material present is not authentic or has been relocated from a totally different area.
A sandstone platform with European engravings is situated a little distance upslope from
the site.
11.2 The Shelter Midden Site (NPWS Site Number 45-6-283)
The shelter / midden site is located in a small bay, at the base of the sand stone cliffs
which delineates the area between the Callan Point headland and King George Park. It is
situated right on the high tide mark, facing in a northerly direction.
The sand stone rock shelter (in which the midden is located) is 7.5 m in length, with a
maximum height of approximately 1.6m and a maximum depth of approximately 2.6m
(See Diagram 2 ; Plate 7).
A portion of the roof of the shelter, measuring 2.5m in length and 1.6m in maximum
width, has collapsed, covering the majority of the floor at the rear of the shelter.
Midden deposit was noted as covering the entire floor area of the rockshelter. This
deposit slanted down at an angle of approximately 10 degrees, from the rear of the shelter
to the front. The exact depth of this deposit is unknown, however it would appear to be
greater than l5cm, judging from a stratigraphic sequence that is present in the deposit at
the rear of the shelter (See Plate 8).
The midden deposit in the front section of the shelter is fairly disturbed and
unconsolidated. Shell material in this section is presently eroding down the slope, to the
front of the shelter. Glass, plastic containers, broom handles and other pieces of rubbish
were noted in the front section of the shelter, as were dog prints, providing an indication
as to the types of disturbance activity the shelter area is subject to.
Much of the midden deposit in the rear section of the shelter is consolidated and is
protected from disturbance by the large slab of roof fall which lays on top of the deposit
in this section.
An analysis of the surface material of the shelter deposit resulted in the identification of
four different shellfish species represented in the assemblage. The rock oyster again was
52
\
DIAGRAM 2: THE SHELTER I MIDDEN SITE AT CALLAN POINT
7ufF!!Brlw,1I .lllllllllllllllli;ff,iWijrConsolidated Deposit , AI!
--..---~-I Slab of Roof Fall
Rock
"-_ Rock L ,./ //
-.... ,//- /'..... _-- --
Baseline OoOm_{_ I I 7=1= oz::c If::==::~\ L L_JV""7-6m----- -Overhang Drip Line -- _
SCALE: 1- 50
Beach Beach Beach
f:3
_..... _"' .... -:--
:~ r
54
Plate 7 :-Vlew looking-south to shelter / mIdden (Callan Point / Rozelle Hospital).
w""o..-~,"'··i'.~~~ .~~
-~.}'>!"(
~··R~··i~;~.'"
~.~' .
.c-;,·~~__~~.... .I' 'C>::~ " .'¥' 'j.
__.....' ~ P;:t~'__.~ ...~~ •
Plate'S: The midden deposit within the shelter (Callan Point / Rozelle Hospita\).
the predominant shell type. followed by the Sydney cockle. The Sydney mussel and
Terrebralia were also noted. but in much smaller quantities.
Other material noted in the deposit was several different types of fish bone. and 3 piecesof red ochre (See Plate 9).
Plate 9 : Material present onsuna.ce of midden in theroCK sliilfer(CalIanPofitfTRozelfeHospital).
55
Again, this shelter/midden conforms well with the trends of site location and site content
established by Hawthorne (1982) and Attenbrow (1990) for this site type in the region.
As with the majority of these site types in the Port Jackson Catchment, the shelter faces in
a northerly direction, it is within 10m of the high tide mark, and the shell deposit
predominantly consists of Rock oyster and the Sydney cockle.
11.3 Other Finds in the Callan Point Area
A survey of the remainder of the Callan Point area resulted in the identification of one
other scatter of shell material and an isolated stone artefact.
The scatter of shell material is located on top of the sand stone cliffs, on the eastern edge
of Callan Point, adjacent to King George Park. Shell was noted eroding out of the grassed
area, 9m x 1m, onto the sand stone edge of the cliff. The rock oyster was the only shell
species noted in this scatter (See Plate 10).
It is possible that this scatter of shell material is part of an open shell midden site. The
area in the immediate vicinity of this shell scatter is heavily grassed, and it is probable
that this vegetative cover is obscuring additional shell material. The extent of this
possible open midden site is unknown. However, it is likely that the depth of the deposit
is quite shallow, given that the sandstone base is evident outcropping on the surface
throughout the area.
The area in question has been affected by prior disturbance activity. All of this area has
been cleared and landscaped as part of the construction of the Rozelle Hospital and
surrounding grounds. If this scatter of shell was part of an existing midden, then it is
highly probable that it has been severely disturbed by this past activity. The possibility
cannot be ruled out also, that the oyster shell fragments have been brought into the area
during the development stages at Rozelle Hospital as refill. Indeed, the European rock
engravings appear to continue underneath the current grassed area suggesting regrowth
and or landscaping.
An isolated stone artefact was located on the upper eastern slope of the Callan Point
headland, approximately 25m south-east of shell concentration I (See Plate 11).
56
.
hell concentration located at Callan Poin-CaclJacent to King George Park.
PlateTf:-/Solatiid artefact located at Callan Point.
57
The following provides the details for this artefact.
Material Type: Metamorphosed sandstone
Colour: Red/brown
Artefact Type: Hammer stone
Dimensions: 45mm (L) x 25mm (W) x 20mm (Th).
Comments: Pitting present along one edge of artefact.
Two low lying rock shelters also situated on the south eastern edge of Callan Point, that
have been recorded as midden I rock shelter sites (NSW NPWS Site Numbers 45-6-1971
& 45-6-1972) were also inspected. These potential sites however, currently contain a
great deal of rubbish and have had fires lit in them in recent times. The researchers were
unable to confirm if these two low lying shelters contained artefactual material.
Certainly, no obvious midden material like that present in NPWS Site 45-6-283 was
evident in these two shelters.
11.4 Summary for the Callan Point Area
The findings from Callan Point indicate that the whole of the area, from the headland
through to King George Park was the focus of Aboriginal activity. Two main
concentrations of Aboriginal activity are noted within this area. The first of these is the
headland at Callan Point, where an open shell midden is present. The second area is the
rock shelter located in a small bay, south east of the headland. A possible third area of
past Aboriginal activity is located on the far eastern edge of Callan Point, adjacent to
King George Park, where a possible open midden site is present. The current researchers
however, cannot confirm whether this scatter of oyster shell is definately a site.
Other small low lying shelters along the eastern edge of Callan Point may contain
archaeological deposits but litter and the charcoal remains of recent fires, presumably lit
by children, cover the floors making access and surface visibility difficult.
58
)
.-'_.....~ r·ol.--__...~
~- .. , .........
/'
MAP2"T" HE LOC -. ATIONOFSeal ; SITES ATe : 1 : 5000 CALLAN
POINT
.'
'.
.j.~.~. /
/
12.0 RESULTS / DISCUSSION FOR YURULBIN POINT
Two rock overhangs and one rock shelter I art site were investigated at Yurulbin Point.
The following provides the findings of these investigations (See Map 3). )
12.1 Rock Overhang at 144 Lonisa Road
A large rock overhang is located at the base of the northern cliffs of Yurulbin Point, on
the property of 144 Louisa Road. The overhang, which faces in a northerly direction,
is 7.4Orn in length, with a maximum depth of 335m and a maximum height of 3.80m
(See Diagram 3 & Plate 12).
A large retaining wall, approximately 15m in length and 15m in height has been built at
the point of the high tide mark. The overhang is located 10m south of this wall (See Plate
13). The area from the retaining wall back to the overhang has been infilled and
landscaped. The depth of this infill in this area is undetermined, however it is certain that
the area underneath the overhang has been infilled for its entire length.
Much of the west portion of the floor underneath the overhang has been sealed over with
tar. Within the east section of the overhang, at the back wall, the footings of a bench has
been dug into the earth floor. At approximately the centre of the back wall of the
overhang, at a height of 2m, an iron ring has cemented into the wall. There is some
evidence of recent graffiti on the backwall of the shelter, including the outline of a fish
which has been scratched into the wall. On the east side of the overhang there is evidence
of several vertical chisel marks on the backwall
The overhang is presently being utilised as a storage area by the property owners.
12.2 Rock Overhang at 9 Numa Street
A second overhang is located approximately SOm east of the one identified at 144 Louisa
Road. This overhang is located at the base of the northern cliffs ofYurulbin Point, on the
property of 9 Numa Street. The overhang, which faces in a northerly direction, is located
approximately 10m from the waters edge (See Plate 14). A large sea wall has been built
along the waters edge. The area between this sea wall and the overhang has been infilled
60
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MAP 3: THE LOCATION OF SITES AT YURULBIN pOINT
Scale : 1 : 1000
SEC.I1: i
, i1921096 :
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DIAGRAM 3: OVERHANG AT 144 LOUISA ROAD
r ......../ .............
Overhang drip line· .... __ ./ --- ...........---,,/ -....--
~~ ~~
---- ---~~ -------------Baseline ~ ,....--' lI I I f9.4m \--+1--+1--1 I I I I ~O.Om
Stairs )
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SCALE: 1·50
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Plate 12: Rock overna.ng at 144 Louisa Rd.
Plate 13 : View looking s-w at retaining wall in froriTaT overhang at 144 Louisia Rd.
63
and landscaped (See Plate IS). Again the extent of the depth of this infill is unknown. It
does appear that there is a natural upward gradient from the waters edge to the overhang,
which means that the depth of the infill underneath the overhang may be minimal (See
Diagram 4).
There is a series of steps leading down from the house at 9 Numa Street, which enter into
the eastern portion of the overhang. Beyond this intrusion, there appears to be very little
sub-surface disturbance to the floor of the overhang, at least since infilling has occurred.
The overhang is presently being utilised as a storage area by the occupants of 9 Numa
Street.
12.3 The Shelter I Art Site at 7 Numa Street (NPWS Site Number 45-6-2287)
Approximately 30m south-east of the overhang, at 9 Numa Street, is a small rock shelter.
The shelter is 6.90m in length, with a maximum depth of 4.20m and a maximum height
of2.6Om (See Diagram 5 & Plate 16).
The shelter, which is approximately 8m from the waters edge, faces in an easterly
direction, and seems to be more exposed to the prevailing weather than the other two
overhangs.
Again, a large sea wall has been built around this section of the point, and the area
between the wall and the shelter has been landscaped and infilled. However, in this
instance, the area within the shelter does not appear to have been infilled. The site has
been affected by other forms of disturbance, mainly through landscaping activity. Steps
leading down from the house at 7 Numa Street cut down through the north-east section of
the shelter. Four of these steps have been cemented in, while the last two steps have been
cut into the floor of the shelter (See Plate 17).
From these cuttings we gain a cross section view of the depth of deposit in the shelter,
which appears to be very shallow (less than Scm). Among this deposit some shell
fragments were noted (the Sydney cockle), however these were too few to positively
identify the shelter as a midden site. There is also some scattered fragments of European
debris within the shelter, including pottery and brick fragments. Recent ash deposits
indicate that fires have been recently lit under the shelter.
64
Plate 14: View look.ings~wat rock overnang at 9 Nurna St.
dscaped area in front of rock overhang at 9 Nurna St.
65
DIAGRAM 4: OVERHANG AT 9 NUMA STREET
-:1-II
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SCALE: 1- 50
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DIAGRAM 5 : SHELTER I ART SITE AT 7 NUMA STREET
..,..---,/
/
Overhang drip line 2--./ ./"'- ......It)\../ ~
....../'
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Baseline 'j{. /'6·9nf'
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SCALE: I-50
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",1 . \" • ~.". .." , ..... .~.,/ • '_;.•. :!<;A"JOlI.;" ~ ~ ~ ", ., ~" '. '. '.•_'~.J.!.'~• 1 .. #'.~, • ..I • '-~~•. " ,~
Plate 16: View looking s-w at shelter I midden / art site at 7 Numa St.
68
Within this shelter a series of II hand stencils and a charcoal outline of a shark had been
previously recorded by Guider (date unknown) (see Diagram 6). As previously
mentioned, AASC employed the services of Katherine Sale to carry out the recording of
the rock art during this survey (See Appendix I for Sale's full report).
At the time of recording only two hand stencils and an area of red pigment were
identified. The hand stencils were made using a white pigment, little of which is now
visable on the rock surface. It is very difficult to distinguish this pigment from other
white surface deposits and the underlying rock, and the outer edge of the handstencil
could not be determined. It was not possible to identify the nature of these deposits
during the field inspection, and this would require further detailed analysis.
The red pigment, located immediately beneath the scratched graffiti, appears to have been
sprayed onto the rock surface over an area of at least 20 x 47cm. It occurs as very small
(generally less than Imm) 'splatters' of red pigment, and is very difficult to see (easily
missed). No clear outlines could be identified at the time of inspection, however the
pigment occurs in a roughly circular shape, with 1-2 linear areas containing a higher
density of pigment.
During discussions with the present property owners it became clear that not all of the art
currently located in the shelter is likely to be of Aboriginal origin. The blacck charcoal
shark was apparently drawn by a neighbours young child some years ago, and as such
this motif has not been recorded (refer to previous recordings for this). In addition, it was
thought that some of the art may have been politically motivated, made at a time when
property owners in the area were in discussion with the Council regarding ownership of
the foreshore land. The current property owner could not be more specific about what
was done or who had done it. While it is possible that the red pigment was added to the
rock surface at this time (given its absence from previous recordings), this is merely
speculative and can not be confirmed at this time. The consultants were also told that fires
had been built in the shelter for picnics over a long period of time. It is likely that the
smoke from these fires has contributed to a reduction in visibility of the art.
The shelter contains scratched and chalked graffiti, with a scratched 'M' partly covering
one of the hand stencils.
69
DIAGRAM 6 : PREVIOUSLY RECORDED MOTIFS AT SHELTER I ART SITE
AT 7 NUMA STREET (hllD\i:~;1Yl PA\I:. UN\<NOWM)
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(;17/ approximate extent of red pigment
'I<tiI>-- concentration of red pigment
DIAGRAM 7: SKETCH OF ROCK ART IN ROCK OVERHANG
AT 7 NUMA STREET
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'?:.: ~ extent of pigment unclear. ~ .DIAGRAM 8: SKETCH OF HAND STENCILS VISffiLE ON WALL OF
ROCK OVERHANG AT 7 NUMA STREET
SCALE
o 10cm'JC'
12.4 Further Discussions
To date no archaeological-remains of Aboriginal origin has been identified at either of the
two overhangs located at Yurulbin Point. As such, neither of these overhangs are
formally recognised as Aboriginal sites. However, we do consider that there is a high
probability that both these overhangs would have been utilised by Aboriginal people.
Both overhangs are located within 100m of the shelter / art site, where there is clear
evidence of Aboriginal activity. This shelter / art site is smaller and less protected from
the prevailing elements than either of the tWo overhangs. This raises the question, why
was this shelter utilised and not the other two overhangs, which appear to afford better
prospects for shelter. We would suggest that these two overhangs were indeed utilised by
Aboriginal people, however the archaeological remains of this occupation is presently
covered over by infill which has been placed in and around the two overhangs.
12.5 Further Findings From This Project
As mentioned previously, John Clegg, Nick Hall and Catherine Sale were invited to
undertake a site inspection of Yurulbin Point. In the course of this inspection, a series of
carvings, located on the cliffs at the property of 11 Numa Street, were examined. Mr
Clegg, duly informed us that he was the sculptor responsible for these works. We felt it
necessary to clarify the origins of these carvings, in order to avoid any future confusion or
controversy.
John Clegg also informed us of the existence of a rock art site at White Horse Point.
Although this fell outside the scope of this project, it was decided that it would be
appropriate to pay a brief visit to this site. The site inspection resulted in the identification
of two hand stencils on the sandstone cliffs at the northern most extremity of White Horse
Point. Both are done with red pigment. Both stencils are under immediate threat of
damage through the encroachment of modem graffiti practices on the cliff. The current
researchers would suggest the Council talk with a rock art specialist such as John Clegg
in order to develope an appropriate management plan for this site, particularly
considering that it is located at a highly visited public area. Certainly, discussions need to
be held with the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council regarding a future management
plan for this site.
73
The existence of this site highlights the potential for further Aboriginal sites to be still
present within the Leichhardt Municipality. While much of the original shoreline in the
Municipality has been infilled, some of the cliffs along the shoreline are still relatively
undisturbed. These areas have a potential for containing a variety of Aboriginal site types.
Michael Guider has also recorded a midden at White Horse Point (NPWS Site Number
45-6-1900).
74
13.0 SIGNIFICANCE ASSESSMENTS
13.1 Significance Criteria
Several criteria have been deemed important for the assessment of the significance values
of the archaeological resource. These criteria may be classified under the following
headings:
1) Aboriginal Significance
This relates to the value placed upon a site or suite of sites by the local or regional
Aboriginal community. These values may be based upon cultural affiliations with
particular sites and the concerns for the protection and custodianship of these sites.
2) Scientific/Archaeological Significance
Two major components are used in the assessment of this category. The first entails the
potential of a site or suite of sites for scientific research and excavation. This is measured
in terms of a site's ability to provide information on aspects of Aboriginal culture. In this
respect, the contents of a site and their state of preservation are important considerations.
The second relates to the representativeness of a site. This is a measure of the degree to
which sites in the area of investigation are characteristic of sites in the immediate and
surrounding region. Conversely, it may be a measure of the uniqueness or rarity of a site.
The primary goal of cultural resource management is to afford greatest protection to a
representative sample of sites throughout a region.
3) Educational Significance
Educational values are based on the potential of a site as an educational resource for
groups within a community.
4) Historical Significance
Historic value refers to the importance of a site as a location of an historic event, phase,
figure or activity.
75
13.2 The Significance of Aboriginal Sites Investigated During This Project
The significance assessment of sites located during this survey has been based on the
above criteria. It should be noted that sites may have features which allow them to satisfy
more than one criteria, and therefor will have a multiplicity of significant attributes.
The Open Shell Midden Site on the Headland at Callan Point
This site may be classified as having been only moderately disturbed. There are some
sections of the site which have been affected by natural erosion processes or through foot
traffic. However, it would appear that a considerable portion of the site may be free of
disturbance, having been covered and consolidated by native vegetation. Although the
shell deposit of this site appears to be quite shallow in depth, there is still a strong
possibility that the site contains in-situ artefactual material. This site can therefore be
considered to have good research potential. On this basis we have rated this site as being
of moderate to high archaeological significance.
Mary Coe from the Metropolitan Land Council has assessed the site as being of moderate
to high significance to the Aboriginal Community, and is concerned that the site be i.
managed appropriately.
The site has potential to be utilised for educational purposes, as an example of Aboriginal
middens in the region. However, this would depend on the management
recommendations adopted for the site. We would tentatively assess the site as being of
moderate educational significance.
The Shelter Midden Site at Callan Point
Because of it's well preserved nature of this site, Ms Attenbrow considers this midden to
be one of the most important Aboriginal sites (from an archaeological perspective)
remaining on the southern shores of Sydney Harbour, and as such was rated as a high
priority for future excavation. Our investigations confirm this view. We would therefore
rate this site as being of very high archaeological significance.
Given the rarity of well preserved sites of this nature, and the site's ability to provide
information on aspects of Aboriginal lifestyle in the area, Mary Coe has rated this site as
being of high significance to the Aboriginal community.
76
The close proximity of this site to numerous educational institutions, together with the
ease of access to the site makes it ideal for educational purposes. On this basis we would
rate the site as being of high educational significance.
The Possible Open Midden Site at Callan Point, Adjacent to King George Park
This potential site appears to have been subject to a high degree of disturbance, and the
existing deposit seems to be quite shallow in depth. On this basis, if it was a site we
would rate it as being of low archaeological significance. The current researchers can not
confirm the authenticity of this potential site as there are only fragments of Sydney oyster
present and the immediate area has been extensively disturbed by past development and
landscaping. The presence of this material has however been noted for future records.
The Overhang at 144 Louisa Road
It has not yet been ascertained whether or not this is actually an Aboriginal site, and as
such it is difficult to assess its potential. The assessment can only be made on the basis of
the likelihood that there is artefactual material present within the overhang. This site has
suffered some degree of disturbance through infill and landscaping. However, there is
still the possibility that it contains in-situ artefactual deposits. However, given that a
considerable portion of the floor of the site has been sealed with tar, it would be a
difficult proposition to excavate. On this basis we assess the overhang as having low to
moderate sub-surface archaeological potential.
Based on the absence of artefactual material, Mary Coe had not made an assessment as to
the significance of the overhang to the Aboriginal community.
The fact that the overhang is located on private property (and hence access is limited) and
that it is not a confirmed site, means that its educational potential is low.
77
The Overhang at 9 Numa Street
As with the pre-mentioned overhang at 144 Louisa Road, it has not yet been ascertained
whether or not this is actually an Aboriginal site, and as such it is difficult to assess its
potential. The assessment can only be made on the basis ofthe likelihood that there is
artefactual material present within the overhang. The area in and around this overhang
has been subject to infill and landscaping. However, it appears that the infill underneath
the overhang may be minimal. The degree of disturbance of the original deposit
underneath the overhang is uncertain. There is a possibility that if archaeological deposits
are present, that they may still be in an in-situ context. On this basis we would assess the
overhang as having moderate sub-surface archaeological potential.
Again, based on the absence of artefactual material, Mary Coe had not made an
assessment as to the significance of the overhang to the Aboriginal community.
The Shelter I Art Site at 7 Numa Street
This is one of only a few Aboriginal art sites identified in the Leichhardt Municipality.
However, there are numerous other art sites featuring hand stencils within the broader
area of the Port Jackson Catchment. The shelter in which the art site is located has a very
shallow deposit, and there is little likelihood of any sub-surface artefactual material being
associated with the shelter. For these reasons we would assess the site as being of
moderate archaeological significance.
Mary Coe had indicated that the site may be considered to be of moderate to high
archaeological significance to the local Aboriginal community.
The fact that the overhang is located on private property, and hence access is limited,
means that the overhang is presently of low educational significance. There is however a
proposal in place to make the waterfront area a public reserve. If this proposal is adopted
then this area will be the focus of considerably more activity. In this case, the educational
significance of this site may be reassessed.
78
14.0 MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
In providing the following management recommendations, we have tried to incorporate
the views and concerns of people who have been involved with various aspects of the
project.
14.1 The Sites at Callan Point
Based on observations made during the fieldwork stage at Callan Point, it is obvious that
this area is a focal point for recreational activities. As such, one of the major issues to be
addressed when establishing management recommendations for the sites in this area is
that of people management.
The Open Midden on the Headland
On the headland, where the open midden site is located, people predominantly utilised the
existing tracks when walking through this area. In one sense this is desirable, as foot
traffic is being largely confined to a set route, thereby limiting the spatial extent of
disturbance to the area. However, as mentioned in the results section of this report, one of
these tracks passes through the open midden site located on the headland. The continued
foot traffic through the site is perpetuating natural erosion processes, which is adversely
affecting the site's condition.
Rather than restricting access to the headland area, the consultants feel that the most
effective way of addressing this situation is to establish a series of boardwalks through
the area. These boardwalks should follow the two existing paths which pass through the
headland area (See Diagram 9). The first of these boardwalks should follow on from the
sandstone steps which lead up to the south-west section of the headland. This boardwalk
would then follow the fenceline in an easterly direction, across to the eastern edge of the
headland.
The second boardwalk should commence at the northern edge of the headland and follow
the existing track through to the south-east section of the headland, where it would join
with the first boardwalk. From this point, a single boardwalk should lead in a south-east
direction to the existing car park (See Plates 18 - 21).
79
80
DIAGRAM'7' PLAN SHOWING THE PROPOSED LOCATION OFBOARDWALKS AT CALLAN POINT
Eastern ;
Concentr.Jtion 3
Rozelle Hospital
........ ,~~ '-
..... "-" "-, "-, ,.
, '-<
-----------
0°~/
¥
~Step l>
rtf/ilL''X.....JJI
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Boaf'l..-Jk
Scattering oC Shell Material
Concentration I
......
• 0 0
o 00
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000-
SCALE: 1 • 100 Co ........
//L.
LEGEND
C:",,-' ...... :-
o ,o 0 0 e:...-0__o_o_°o--·_o () 0
<:> ---- 0 <;> 0 I;;) 0 -- __0 00-- 0 °00." <) "0 ,,--S
0'-;0 I) ()~Q 0\)° 0 O .......... ~
00 /(j 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 0 0 ~o....... 0 0 0 0 0I < C~""' qIJ1Jl~~J-, ;-;-';-"-. -. --; '~ ,:';''';';1-~~, .o~ /' j
\
Plate 19 : View looking north along proposed route of board walk.
81
Plate 20 : View looking s-e at proposed routeorooaro-wal
Plate 21 : View looking s-e at proposed-route of board walk, up towards !be carpark,
82
Where the boardwalks pass over existing European carvings, care should be taken not to
damage these sites in any way.
In cOluunction with the establishment of boardwalks, a program of re-vegetation should
be implemented, particularly for those areas which are presently suffering from erosion.
Native grasses and selected low lying shrubs would be the preferred vegetative cover for
the area. Both types have root systems which would add to the stabilisation of the area.
This is in contrast to many tree species, which have large root systems which can
potentially add to the disturbance of sites. The council should approach NSW NPWS for
advise on re-vegetation.
We strongly believe that the establishment of boardwalks, combined with a program of
re-vegetation is the preferred management option for this area. It is the most effective
way to minimise future disturbance and impact upon the midden site, while still allowing
public access to the headland area. The only potential drawback of this management
option is that it may be quite expensive to implement.
There are alternative management options which may be adopted for this area. The entire
headland area could be fenced off, thereby restricting public access to the area where the
shell midden site is located. This would certainly minimise future impact on the site area.
By adopting the same re-vegetation program as outlined above, the site area would be
further stabilised. While this management option would certainly be more cost effective
than establishing boardwalks through the area, it is questionable as to how desirable or
practical it would be to completely restrict public access to this area.
A third potential management option is to merely re-vegetate the headland area, and to
allow the public to utilise the existing tracks which run through this area. The benefit of a
adopting this approach is that it is a cost effective option. However, it is questionable as
to how effective this option is in minimising future impact on the midden site.
Which ever of these three management options are adopted, we would suggest that there
should also be public information signs established in the area, which outlines the nature
of Aboriginal occupation in the area, and provides a brief description and interpretation of
the shell midden site.
83
The Shelter I Midden Site
A considerable portion of the artefactual deposit within the shelter has been stabilised by
a large piece of roof fall which covers the floor in the rear two thirds of the shelter.
However, the deposit within the front section of the shelter is prone to a number of
disturbance factors, the major ones being water erosion (in the form of tidal activity) and
human and animal activity. These are affecting the overall integrity of the site.
The shelter is proximated right on the high water mark. During periods of abnormally
high tides, water enters the shelter, disturbing the deposit in the front section. The only
feasible way to curb this erosion activity is to erect some form of barrier along the front
entrance of the shelter. In keeping with the setting of the area, the most suitable type of
barrier would be a series of sandstone slabs lined along the front entrance of the shelter.
Several slabs were noted within the immediate vicinity of the shelter, which could be
utilised for this task.
The establishment of a barrier in front of the shelter would also serve to minimise human
and animal activity within the shelter. However, access to the shelter can also be gained
via a track leading down from the top of the sandstone cliffs. The erection of a small
fence along this section of the cliff would effectively deter people and animals from
utilising this track (See Plate 22).
84
The Potential Open Midden Site on the Cliff Line Adjacent to King George Park
This potential site has already been subject to major disturbance through landscape and
construction activity associated with the Rozelle Hospital. Given this, there seems little
point in adopting any major management options for this site area. Perhaps the only
management option which may be considered is the planting of native grasses in those
areas where shell material is eroding to the surface. Approvial to carry out re-vegetaation
or other management options at or near known sites can only be carried out with the
written consent of NSW NPWS.
14.2 Sites At Yurulbin Point
All of the areas investigated at Yurulbin Point are situated on Private property, and are
therefore not subject to the same degree of public traffic as the sites at Callan Point. In
many respects this makes the future management of these areas far easier. However the
success of any proposed management options for these areas will directly depend on the
co-operation and participation of the respective property owners.
The Overhang at 144 Louisa Road
The floor underneath the overhang has already been subject to disturbance through
landscaping and infil!. However, there is a possibility that in situ artefactual deposits are
present beneath the infill. Given this possibility, any further sub-surface disturbance
of the floor of the overhang should be avoided.
The overhang is presently being utilised as a storage area for various items. There is no
archaeological impediment to this practice continuing.
The Overhang at No.9 Numa Street
Again, the floor underneath this overhang has been disturbed through landscaping and
infu!. However, it would appear that the degree of both disturbance and infill is less than
that noted for the overhang at 144 Louisa Road. Given this, there is comparatively higher
possibility of in-situ artefactual deposit being present beneath the shelter. As such, any
sub-surface disturbance of the floor of the overhang should be avoided.
As with 144 Louisa Road, this overhang is presently being utilised as a storage area for
various items. There is no archaeological impediment to this practice continuing.
85
The Shelter I Art Site at No.7 Numa Street
Ongoing research within the Sydney Basin region indicates that art sites are a fragile
resource which are prone to numerous destructive agents. As McDonald (1990) points
out, many art recorders within the region have commented on the deterioration of well
known sites over the past twenty years.
Much of this deterioration is the result of the exfoliation of the sandstone surfaces on
which the art is located. Several studies focusing on the analyses of sandstone surfaces in
the Sydney Basin indicate that this medium is very unstable (Hughes 1978 ; Lambert
1989). Whether this process of exfoliation has been accelerated in recent times through
increased pollution and site visitation is at this stage uncertain.
Weathering is also a major factor affecting the condition of art sites, particularly paintings
and stencils. As Rosenfeld (1988) points out, the durability of these art sites depends on
the properties of the pigment and the bonding of the pigment to the rock. Unless there is
some degree of penetration of the pigment into the rock, then all trace of a motif may be
lost through weathering. McDonald ( 1990) notes that water seepage and chemical
leaching through sandstone surfaces are the main weathering agents affecting motifs
within the Sydney Basin Region. Both these weathering agents are reported as being
difficult to manage (McDonald 1990).
Other environmental factors impacting upon motif sites in the region include wasp, mud
swallow and termite nests.
In reality there are no viable management options which can be adopted to conserve the
stencils at 7 Numa Street. The more practical alternative is to present a set of
management options which will potentially decrease the rate of deterioration of these
stencils.
The shelter in which the art is located faces in the direction of the prevailing winds. As
such, the art is presently susceptible to weathering agents such as wind rain and salt. This
susceptibility could be considerably reduced through the planting of shrubs in the area in
front of the shelter. These shrubs would as a buffer between the shelter and the prevailing
weather.
86
The shelter I art site is also prone to impact through human and animal activity. The
erection of a small hand rail running adjacent to the stairs leading down from 7 Numa
Street to the shelter site would act as a deterrent to people entering the shelter (See Plate
23). The owners of the property should also be advised against utilising the shelter as a
storage area for equipment, or for any type of recreational purpose.
14.3 General Management Recommendations
1. Any disturbance of, or near Aboriginal sites (such as clearing, re-vegetation,
demolition or construction) mut be approved by the NSW NPWS in accordance
with the NPWS Act 1974.
2. Given the possibility of additional Aboriginal sites being present along the shoreline
of the Leichhardt Municipality, a general survey should be undertaken in this area by a
qualified archaeologist.
2. Regular inspections should be undertaken of the sites investigated during this survey
in order to monitor their condition.
3. Copies of this report should be forwarded to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife
Service. The Metropolitan Land Council, and the respective property owners.
87
Plate 22 : Track leading down to the shelter lffi-idden site. Callan Point. A small ropefence erected at the top of the cliff would cordon off this access route.
.
:~.'ll',.
I' ......
'o~i~
-.t~~~.,.,."';;-'.'S' . ~:.Is.~ .''.~Plate 23 : The sieps leading down to the shelter ai9 NumaSf where the hand rail could beerected.
88
15.0 GUIDELINES FOR THE INTERPRETATION OF THE ABORIGINAL
HERITAGE OF THE LEICHHARDT ~GION,NSW
This chapter provides guidelines for the provision of appropriate educational infonnation
on the Aboriginal history and heritage of the current Leichhardt area. Included is a
proposed interpretative plan for the sites at Callan Point and Yurulbin Point (Long Nose
Point).
15.1 Identified Aboriginal Heritage Education Priorities Within the
Leichhardt Municipality
One of the aims of the Aboriginal archaeological project was to provide guidelines for the
interpretation ()f the identified sites. At the Leichhardt Council Aboriginal Community
Consultative Committee meeting held on the 20th April 1995, the committee reinterated
the need for the development of suitable interpretation infonnation on the Aboriginal
sites in the area. The development of an educational pamplet on the Aboriginal history
and heritage of the Leichhardt area, was identified specifically as a priority for the
council.' This chapter provides text on the Aboriginal history and heritage which could be
used for such educational purposes.
15.2 General Pamphlet on the Aboriginal Heritage of the Leichhardt Region
Given the Leichhardt Council's committment towards the recognition, management and
promotion of Aboriginal heritage in the Leichhardt area, the idea of an educational
pamphlet on the Aboriginal heritage of the area would go a long way in achieving these
outcomes. The development of a clearly worded, infonnative and colourful pamphlet on
the Aboriginal heritage of the Leichhardt area would be an invaluable and positive
awareness raising instrument.
Such a pamphlet should be well advertised by the Leichhardt Council and promoted
throughout the local community, particularly within schools in the municipality. The
council's Aboriginal community worker could be the contact for general enqniries from
the public on questions generated by the pamphlet. Other enqniries could be directed to
the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council where appropriate or neccessary. The
pamphlet should be provided free of charge and be available from the council as well as
89
from a number of other public sources within the municiplality. The pamphlet would
have the designated contact person's (this should be the Aboriginal Community
Worker/Officer position and/or the Sites Officer from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal
Land Council) telephone number and address on the back page.
As suggested at the Leichhardt Council Aboriginal Community Consultative Comrnittee
meeting held on the 20th April 1995, the cover of the pamphlet could be a reprint of a
painting or some other artwork of a local Aboriginal artist. Alternatively, the cover could
be a photograph of a local Aboriginal site, provided permission was granted by the
Metroplolitan Aboriginal Land Council to use the image.
The general information for the interpetative signs provided in the Sections 15.4 and 15.5
could be used to provide wording for the pamphlet. The'Metropolitan Local Aboriginal
Land Council may also allow photographs of some of the sites in the Municipality to be
used to suppliment the text in the pamphlet.
15.3 Interpetation Sign for the Cullan Point Aboriginal Sites
Cullan Point is visited by a large number of people. A track used by many walkers and
joggers that cuts across and around the point is nearly always in use. People also visit the
point specifically for it aesthetic qualities. An interpretative sign located at the Point,
explaining the Aboriginal sites and heritage there, would be well read provided it was
located near to and facing the footpath or future boardwalk used by the pedestrians.
The consultants would recommend that the interpretative sign be located on the far point.
There the track divides, with one path turning immediately left and going down a stone
staircase while the other continues before turning left down closer to the shoreline The
interpretive sign could be placed facing upslope on the Point's edge. Alternatively, the
sign could be located up near the carpark on the grass, where the track which joins King
George Park, passes.
As Culldn point has a number of aesthetic qualities due to the view that it faces onto, a
large sign on two poles would not be as aesthetically pleasing, and could infact take away
some of the viewing advantages. What would be less obstructive to the eye would be a
low sandstone cairn cemented together which had a sign plate (70cmx7Omm
90
approximately) screwed onto the top surface, which should be angled slightly, for the
readers ease.
Alternatively, a low standing sign (attached to two poles) could be used.
15.4 Wording for the Cullan Point Aboriginal Sites Interpretative Sign
Wording for the interpretative sign could be as follows:
Heading: Cullan Point Aboriginal Site
Interpretation/Description : Although one of the earliest areas in Australia to be
developed by Europeans, Leichhardt still contains the physical evidence of the original
custodians of this area. Here at Cullan Point, surrounded by the historical developments
of the last two hundred plus years are a number of Aboriginal sites that have survived the
pressures of time.
Although debate continues about the exact composition and distribution of 'tribes'
(language groups) in the Sydney area at the time of the first European contact, it appears
from the linguistic recordings that there were three main language groups in the Sydney
region (Dharawal, Dharug and Kuring-gai). The clans who lived between Port Jackson
and Botany Bay referred to themselves as the Eora or coastal people. The Eora were
either a sub-group of the Dharug language group or a completely separate language
group. Among the Eora 'clans' (land ownership was invested in 'the clan', which had
rights in an area called an'estate') it is believed that the area that is now encompassed by
the Leichhardt Municipality was the home of the Wangal clan. The boundary between the
Wangal and Cadigal clans is identified as lying along the Balmain Peninsula.
The Aboriginal custodians of this area utilised their local marine and land resources to
obtain food and materials needed to make tools and other needed implements. Here at
Callan Point along the edges of the sandstone face and on top of the point itself are
various shell middens (the shell heaps or shell refuse piles that have been left after people
have eaten the contents). Archaeological studies at Callan Point have shown that the local
Aboriginal people collected from the shore edge, rock oysters, Sydney cockles, Sydney
mussels and Terrebralia shells. In one midden deposit, which has been protected by the
collapse of a sandstone slab, evidence of fish bones and small amounts of red ochre
91
which would have been used for painting (possibly on rockshelter walls) were also
recorded. Along the track at Callan Point you can see patches of broken shell exposed.
This could well be midden material or in cases be shell deposited as a result of industrial
infilling or material left by pedestrians some years ago.
Archaeological work at Callan Point has also located a hammerstone which would have
been used for making stone artefacts (tools) or for breaking open shellfish. There is also
evidence at this location that the local Aboriginal people used some of the cockle shells
for tools. The edges of a number of these shells have been worn down which shows that
they have been used for cutting or scrapping. Fresh water would have been obtained from
the small creeks running into Port Jackson. Certainly, the traditional inhabitants of the
area interacted well with their environment and utilised the local resources to their benefit
and well being.
No dates have been obtained from the sites at Callan Point as yet but other sites in the
Port Jackson area have been dated from 4500 years old, up to the advent of Europeans.
Sites such as these at Callan Point are testimony to the prior occupation of an area by
Aboriginal people and as such are of great cultural importantance to Aboriginal people':
today. As an ever diminishing resource due to development and weathering, sites such as
these middens need to be be conserved and managed or they will be lost forever. Today,
the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council represents the Aboriginal people of the
immediate Sydney region. The Leichhardt Council has been consulting with the Land
Council to ensure that the remaining Aboriginal sites in Leichhart area are well recorded,
conserved, and managed. Documentation of the history and heritage of the original
inhabitants of this area is also being prepared for educative pupposes by the Leichhardt
Council in close consultation with the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council.
You may contact the Aboriginal Community Officer at the Leichhardt Council for further
information on the Aboriginal heritage of the Leichhardt area.
(Addressltelephone number to be included)
92
15.5 Interpretation Sign for Yurulbin Point Aboriginal Sites
Yurulbin Point is also visited by quite a large number of people. People arrive at and
leave the point by a ferry service which has its jetty on the Point's foreshore. As well,
people also visit the point specifically for it aesthetic qualities as the point provides a
good view across this section of the harbour. The area around the Point also has housing
developments. An interpretation sign located near to the entrance of the car park at a
clearly visible and safe location would be our recommendation. The sign could be set on
the same design as that for Callan Point.
Wording for an interpetation sign for this area could contain the same background
information as offered for the Callan Point sign but should higWight the fact that in this
area Aboriginal people utilised one of the rock overhangs as a backdrop for making hand
stencils, using ochre.
Given the fact that the rock art site is currently situated on private property and that the
the stencils are fading the consultants do not recommend that the general public be
encouraged to visit this site. If the land tenour in this area changes then the further
discussions with the Metropolitan Aboriginal Land Council should occur to determine
whether the site should be open to visitor access.
93
REFERENCES CITED
Attenbrow, V.J. 1987 The Upper Mangrove Creek Catchment, A Study of Ouantitative
Changes in the Archaeological Record, Unpub. PhD thesis, University of Sydney,
Sydney.
Attenbrow, V,J. 1988 Research into the Aboriginal Occupation of the Hunter's Hill
Municipality. A Report For the Hunter's Hill Municipal Council.
Attenbrow, V. J. 1990 The Port Jackson Archaeological Project: Report on Stage One.
A Report to the Australian Museum.
Bowdler, S. 1971 Balls Head. The Excavation of a Port Jackson Rock Shelter. Records
of the Australian Museum 28: 117-128.
Bulbeck, D. & Boot, P. 1991 Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve Cultural Resource Survey and
Conservation Plan. Prepared for the A.C.T, Heritage Unit and the A.C.T. Parks and
Conservation Unit.
Capell, A. 1970 Aboriginal Languages in the South Central Coast, New South Wales:
Fresh Discoveries. Oceania 41 : 20-27.
Collins, D. (1798; 1802) 1975 An Account of the English Colony of New South Wales.
Two Volumes. A.W. & A.H. Reed, Sydney.
94
Dowling, PJ. 1990 Violent Epidemics. Disease. conflict and Aboriginal population
collapse as a result of European contact in the Riverland of South Australia. Unpublished
MA Thesis, A.N.U.
Edwards, M. 1993 The Growth of Aboriginal Organisations. In Plater (ed) Other
Boundaries. Inner-City Aboriginal Stories. pp 185-191. Bagnall & Bagnall Publications.
Elder, B. 1988 Blood on the Wattle. Massacres and Maltreatment of Australian
Aborigines Since 1788. Child & Associates.
Flood, 1 . 1980 The Moth Hunters. Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies:
Canberra .
Ganjoo, M & Fritis, K. 1993 Post-Contact. What Happened to the Original People. In
Plater (ed) Other Boundaries. Inner-City Aboriginal Stories. Bagnall & Bagnall
Publications.
Goodall, H. 1982 A History of Aboriginal Communities in NSW 1909-1939.
Unpublished Thesis. University of Sydney.
Goodall, H. 1991 Land in Our Country. Aboriginal History: 14.1991.
Hughes, P.l. 1978 Weathering in Sandstone Shelters in the Sydney Basin and the
Survival of Rock Art. In C. Pearson (ed) Conservation of Rock Art ; Proceedings of the
International Workshop on the Conservation of Rock Art. Perth. 1977: pp 36-41.
Kohen, l.L. 1985 Aborigines in the West - Prehistory to Present. Western Sydney
Project, Nepean College of Advanced Education, Kingwood.
95
Kohen, J.L. & Lampert, RJ. 1987 Hunters and Fishers of the Sydney Region. In
Mulvaney & White (eds) Australians to 1788. Fairfax, Syme & Weldon Associates,
Sydney, Pp 343-365.
La Perouse Aboriginal Community 1988 La Perouse. the Place, the People and the Sea.
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Canberra.
McBryde, I . 1979 Ethnohistory in an Australian Context: Independent Discipline or
Convenient Data Quarry? Aboriginal History 3 (2) : 128-150 .
Miles, D. 1964 Preliminary Comments on the Balls Head Archaeological Excavations.
Australian Natural History 14 (11): 343-345.
O'Donnell, G & Walker, M. 1982 Archaeological Excavation at Reef Beach, Balgowlah,
NSW. Report to NSW NPWS.
Peterson, N. 1971 Open Sites and the Ethnographic Approach to the Archaeology of
Hunter-gatherers . Aboriginal Man and Environment in Australia (eds D.J. Mulvaney and
J . Golson), pp. 239-48: A.N.V. Press, Canberra.
Peterson, N . 1975 Hunter-Gatherer Territoriality: The Perspective From Australia.
American Anthropologist Vol. 77 No.1.
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Peterson, N . 1976 The Natural and Cultural Areas of Aboriginal Australia : A
preliminary analysis of population groupings with adaptive significance. In N. Peterson
(ed) Tribes and Boundaries in Australia. Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies:
Canberra .
Peterson, N. 1986 Australian Territorial Organization. Oceania Monograph. University
of Sydney .
Plater, D. 1993 Rising Consciousness-the Birth of Aboriginal Political Movements. In
Plater (ed) Other Boundaries: Inner City Aboriginal Stories. Pp 61-73. Bagnall &
Bagnall Publications.
Plater, D. 1993b Higher Education. In Plater (ed) Other Boundaries: Inner City
Aboriginal Stories, Pp 204--209. Bagnall & Bagnall Publications.
Rosenfeld, A. 1988 Rock Art Conservation in Australia. Special Australian Heritage
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Ross, A. & Specht. J. 1976 An Archaeological Survey on Port Jackson. Australian
Archaeology 5: 14-17.
Service, E.R. 1966 The Hunters. Prentice, Hall, Inc. New Jersey.
Turbet, P. 1989 The Aborigines of the Sydney District Before 1788. Kangaroo Press,
Kenthurst. 1989.
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Webb, S.G. 1984 Prehistoric Stress in Australian Aborigines :a Paleo-pathological
Survey of a Hunter/Gatherer Population. Unpub. PhD Thesis, A.N.U.
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98
I
APPENDIX 1
NOTES ON THE ART AT 7 NUMA STREET
Prepared byKatharine M. Sale
14 June 1995
Recording Technigue
The shelter was inspected on a sunny day at 12pm with good light conditions. A general sketch was
made of the general location of motifs and graffiti. The art was photographed using a Pentax35
70mm camera using slide (Kodak Ektachrome) and colour negative (Kodak Gold) film, and then
traced from slides. A hand lens was used to assist in a detailed examination of the rock surface.
At the time of recording only two hand stencils and an area of red pigment were identified.
The hand stencils were made using a white pigment, little of which is now visible on the rock surface.
It is very difficult to distinguish this pigment from other white surface deposits and the underlying
rock, and the outer edge of the handstencil could. not be determined. It was not possible to identify
the nature of these deposits during the field inspection, and this would require further detailed
analysis.
The red pigment, located immediately beneath the scratched graffiti, appears to have been sprayed
onto the rock surface over an area of at least 20 x 47cm. It occurs as very small (generally <1 mm)
'splatters' of red pigment, and is very difficult to see (easily missed). No clear outlines couid be
identified at the time of inspection, however the pigment occurs in a roughly circular shape, with 1 -2
linear areas containing a higher density of pigment.
During discussions with the present property owners it became clear that not all of the art currently
located in the shelter is likely to be of Aboriginai origin. The black charcoal shark was apparently
drawn by a neighbours young child some years ago, and as such this motif has not been recorded
(refer to previous recordings for this). In addition, it was thought that some of the art may have been
politically motivated, made at a time when property owners in the area were in discussion with the
Council regarding ownership of the foreshore land. The current property owner could not be more
specific about what was done, or who might have it. While it is possible that the red pigment was
added to the rock surface at this time (given its absence from previous recordings), this is mereiy
speculative and can not be confirmed at this time. I was also told that fires had been built in the
shelter for picnics over a long period of time. It is likely that the smoke from these fires has
contributed to a reduction in visibility of the art.
The shelter contains scratched and chalked graffiti, with a scratched 'M' partly covering one of the
hand stencils.
Katharine M. Sale, Aboriginal Heritage Consultant
l' \