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hut the artefact scatter thins considerably. Here are a number of
quite large horseshoes, probably from draught horses. fI
Some of the artefacts are discussed in more detail at Paragraph 8.1.7.
7.1.4 Structural Materials
There is quite strong evidence for the presence of four or five structures
constructed of tamped earth at Chinaman's Well. Photograph 12 refers to
this. Associated with the tamped earth are numbers of rocks. Also at
Chinaman's Well is the ruin of a stone hut which could possibly have been
constructed in part below ground level.
Knapp (1990:29,34) states that traditional Chinese tamped earth
construction incorporates the use of rocks to form footings to the walls and
to insulate timbers supporting the roof from damp in the walls.The
(perhaps later) use of stone is consistent with the construction methods
reported by Ritchie (in Wegars 1993:355). It is, however, acknowledged
that neither method is exclusive to the Chinese or diagnostic of a Chinese
site, and that opportunistic use of materials would be more usual. That
stone would need to be imported some distance for use at Chinaman's
Well is a detrimental to the proposed association. The structures are
discussed in more detail at paragraph 8.1.2.
7.1.5 Vegetation
There are few mature trees in the vicinity of Chinaman's Well. Those which
are present are mostly small Eucalyptus tomaldulensis or the common red
river gum, with the next most common being gidgee. Although the latter
are numerous, most are dead, perhaps killed by a parasitic growth which is
also very common in the area. This is probably Lysiana exocarpi (harlequin
mistletoe), having a bright red pencil-like flower, leaves are grouped in
threes up the stem and a yellow to bright orange spherical fruit. There
appear to be two sub-species of gidgee, one with long leaves which are
straight, the other having shorter, curved leaves. Another common plant ­
perhaps more correctly described as a shrub - has a small white flower and
bright green leaves. This is probably western boobialla or Myoporum
montanum, which is commonly found on red earths and in association with
bladder saltbush (Cunningham et ai, 1981 :616). Most specimens of this
appear to be dying, perhaps indicating they appear only after good rain.
During another visit to the site, at a time when rain had recently fallen in
the area, a very lush growth of sp. Chenopodium was present, growing to
a height of perhaps 1.2 meters and covering the entire area.