These works were completed under an AHIP that was secured after an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment was undertaken and identified an AHIMS site including PAD, midden and stone artefacts (at the site of the GPT, called Project Area A) and PAD with shell and bone material (Project Area B). Community collection of surface artefacts was undertaken prior to the salvage of 19 locations across the two project areas, comprising 10 mechanical and 8 manual augers as well as one 1m x 1m pit that was mechanically excavated.  

Community collection salvaged 8 artefacts from Area A, and two small flakes and two pieces of debitage were recovered in the subsurface salvage within Project Area A (GPT) all from within 40cm of the surface. No artefacts were recovered from Project Area B and no intact midden material was identified across either of the project areas. The subsurface investigations demonstrated that both project areas are capped with introduced fill with natural deposits only occurring at depths greater than ~60cm in most areas. Registered Aboriginal Parties who participated in the community collection and salvage were satisfied that all areas of potential impact were investigated and there was low risk of harm to Aboriginal objects.

The excavation program was designed to test ground-penetrating radar results that were provided to Liverpool City Council as part of an earlier assessment by another consultant for their proposed landscaping plans for the park. The area was dedicated as a park in 1970, with subsequent works in the area by Liverpool City Council and the park was officially opened in 1974. 

Machine excavation of relevant areas was monitored by archaeologists and an LCC surveyor. Monitoring indicated that the GPR results for the northern section of the park did not correspond with grave cuts, but instead reflected other features such as sand lenses, concrete footings and services. Grave cuts were only identified in one of the five areas excavated, at a deeper level than anticipated. In that area, a row of five or six partial grave cuts were identified on an east to west alignment. The work and associated research is shedding light on the burial practices associated with the historical Roman Catholic section of the ‘paupers’ burial ground, which is where inhabitants of the Liverpool Destitute Mens Asylum and later Liverpool Lunatic Asylum were interred during the late 19th century. Analysis of the fieldwork results is currently being undertaken – so stay tuned for an update soon! 

Grave markers in the cemetery often didn’t retain identifying information, but often show a personal connection, such as the use of diving helmets. Enamel plates, mugs and metal cutlery were left as offerings to the deceased. Glass bottles, inserted neck first into the sand were often used to outline graves and many of these were amber-coloured beer bottles from the 1940s. Other grave markers included white-painted stones, vases, baler and other shells, and wooden crosses that once had metal name plates, but have since decayed from termites and weathering.  

The GPR survey of sections of the cemetery showed at least 18 graves that no longer had surface markers, most of these clustered at the eastern end of the cemetery. A detailed photographic inventory of the cemetery including mapping of individual graves was used to create an inventory of the cemetery and allow the Injinoo community to monitor and manage the site for decades to come. An implementation plan was developed for site management and to address impacts such erosion from rising sea levels, storm surges, and invasive species, such as wild horses. 

The results of the research project and community report was presented during the trip in September 2022. There is much more research to be done in this region relating to unmarked graves and important cultural sites – so watch this space! 

Many sites of cultural significance were identified and during the survey, Pauline and Harry undertook a drone flight over the area to assist with cultural mapping and management recommendations. We have now completed the cultural values study for BAC. 

The report addresses the legislative, management and environmental contexts, as well as providing a background on heritage studies that have previously been undertaken. The results of the fieldwork, including a description of sites identified during both Women’s and Men’s surveys, were provided as well as an assessment of cultural significance in consultation with BAC. 

Tangible and intangible cultural values were described, and an implementation plan was developed for management of these values. Sites included artefact scatters and traditional camp sites, sensitive landforms for resource collection, ochre quarry and story places. Some of the sites are places with restricted knowledge. 

We are grateful to BAC for engaging us to be involved in this important project. 

In late May – early June 2022, Mary-Jean, Elle, Emma and Harry from Virtus Heritage, Simon Pearce from GHD and Dr Peter Mitchell OAM, visited communities at New Mapoon and Injinoo to undertake the fieldwork and consultation for these projects. Our final trip by our team in September 2022, was made by Simon, Mary-Jean, Elle and Harry to discuss the draft reports and demarcate the unmarked graves with temporary markers. We would like to thank all the Elders, families and administrators who assisted us with these projects. Read some more about the projects here! 

The Cultural Collective is in its final stages of preparation. Stay tuned for more information and the official launch – coming very soon.

Elders also requested the use of ground-penetrating radar, and 18 unmarked graves that had been forgotten or lost over time were identified with this method. The use of drone imagery and 3D modelling was used to create detailed mapping of the cemetery and combined with the oral history and archival research an inventory for the cemetery was created. This inventory forms part of the management strategy for the cemetery along with an implementation plan for maintenance of the site. 

Results were presented to Elders and the community in early September, with everyone relieved and happy to have the old graves identified and the resting places of family members identified once again. Elders were able to reconnect with their past by viewing old photographs and video footage that many had never seen before, having been stored in the State Archives for decades.   

Over September and October 2022, an epic survey was undertaken which covered a total of 121 kms of roads and fire trails (33 in total) across six National Parks (NP), two Nature Reserves (NR), three State Forests (SF), one State Conservation Areas (SCA), and one Community Conservation Areas (CCA). These included Washpool NP, Curramore SF, Forest Land SF and Moogem SF within the Gibraltar MU; Bluff River NR, Timbarra NP, Basket Swamp NP, Capoompeta NP, Butterleaf NP and SCA, and Bolivia Hill NR within the Bluff River MU; and Kwiambal NP and CCA Zone 1 within the Kwiambal MU. Virtus Archaeologists were assisted in the surveys by NPWS Rangers or Field Officers and Sites Officers from Moombahlene LALC, Glen Innes LALC and Ashford LALCs. Toomelah LALC were unable to participate due to access issues from flood waters.

Across the survey areas only eight new sites were identified including seven artefact sites and one modified tree. Seven of these sites were located within the Gibraltar MU and an isolated find within the Kwiambal NP. This isolated find was located within a sensitive landform at the confluence of the MacIntyre and Severn Rivers, and an exclusion zone around this area was recommended. The relatively low number of sites identified across the survey area is likely due to the low visibility within the parks due to heavy vegetation from the recent rains, and the low sensitivity landforms (mainly slopes) that the roads and fire trails generally traverse. Sites that were previously recorded within the parks include artefact sites, scarred trees, Potential Archaeological Deposits (PAD), bora grounds, stone arrangements and ceremony and dreaming sites.  

In order to protect and manage these sites NPWS will avoid works in these areas where possible and undertake cultural heritage inductions with workers to ensure that sites or sensitive landforms are not impacted.