In 2003, archaeologists found 20 000-year-old footprints of the Willandra Peoples in dried clay that turned to stone. Mary Pappin Junior, a Mutthi Mutthi woman, showed these footprints to the archaeologists. Elders from the Paakantji, Ngiampaa and Mutthi Mutthi Peoples help care for the Lake Mungo site with the government. 2.10.4 Appreciating our heritage Caring for the human and archaeological remains of ancestors is of great importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. These remains connect people spiritually to their ancestors. The return of remains from museums back home to Country is a big issue. When remains are returned there are several ceremonies and practices that must be followed: • Discussing with traditional custodians to decide how remains should be cared for, what ceremonies should be performed and where reburial should be. • Honouring the ancestors with appropriate mourning practices, smoking ceremonies. • Restricting entry to the site to certain people, such as Elders or people with ceremonial roles. Many places in Australia are important for history and culture. The Australian government has set up over 70 Indigenous Protected Areas. Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, traditional custodians manage these areas, caring for plants, animals and special sites. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community rangers help manage the tourists visiting the sites. Ongoing care of Country keeps their culture strong. In 2010, the Heritage Council of Victoria agreed to the Burra Charter, an agreement that put in place conservation rules: • Heritage sites enrich our lives by helping us understand the past and the culture we live in today. • A heritage site’s importance comes from its location, objects, use and the meaning it has for people today. • Cultural significance must be considered and studied carefully before making decisions about a heritage site. • Records must be kept ensuring the continued care and understanding of heritage sites. Sites such as Budj Bim, on Gunditjmara Country in Victoria, and the Willandra Lakes in New South Wales have been given protection by their World Heritage listing. World Heritage sites are selected because of their great significance to the shared culture and history of our world: • Buj Bim’s great aquaculture system shows the unique land and water management of Deep Time Gunditjmara people. The stone weirs and channels were constructed over 6000 years ago to farm eels as a sustainable resource. • The Willandra Lakes shows Deep Time life dating back over 40 000 years. Dry lakes are evidence of climate change during the Pleistocene period. Human remains of Mungo I and Mungo III show ancient cultural practices.
2.10 SkillBuilder activity USING HISTORICAL SOURCES, COMMUNICATING Establish the location of an Aboriginal site of cultural significance that you can visit.
1. In small groups, plan your excursion and design archaeological activities. Consult traditional custodians when planning. Invite a member of the Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander community to join and explain the site and artefacts. 2. Treat the site with the same respect as a church, mosque or war memorial. Plan how to move carefully to avoid damage. In the planning process you will also need to: • Check with local park and wildlife services for the rules of the site in their care. • Make sure all visitors know the site rules, and check with local Elders that the site is appropriate for visiting. Some sites are sacred and are not to be shared with everyone, even within Country. This includes men’s business and women’s business. Only take written notes, photos and drawings as records of your visit.
60 Jacaranda Humanities Alive 7 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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