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CHAPTER 8 ANALVSIS OF ARTEFACTS AND SITE
FEATURES
8.0 Introduction
The problem of site disturbance is highlighted in many archaeological
reports and is clearly an influence at Milparinka. But the Milparinka
Chinese sites are relatively unknown and still quite remote from major
tourist routes. They are also located on privately controlled land some
distance from present roads. As a result few items more recent than 1900
appear to be included in the artefact assemblage. Even so consideration
has been given to the possibility of disturbance, most likely in the years
immediately following abandonment, and perhaps on irregular occasions
since.
At worst the impact of disturbance might parallel that encountered by
Spector (1993:125), at a site in the United States which had been
plundered by amateur archaeologists and collectors over a one-hundred
year period. As a result of that disturbance it was considered impossible to
interpret the artefact assemblage, although it was thought to be that of a
fur (trading) post. Early and mid-nineteenth century items were found in
association with soda cans, tin foil, sherds of plastic cups and 20th century
beer bottles. It was known that the diagnostic artefacts recovered
represented but a small part of the assemblage originally present, and that
large numbers of artefacts had been removed as an outcome of the earlier,
less methodical activities.
At Milparinka it is possible artefacts relating to later periods of site usage
have become closely associated with those from the Chinese period.
There has been flooding, and some deliberate relocation of 'flood debris' at
Chinaman's Well. At Chinaman's Garden Well there has also been
significant flooding, and quite probably removal of all artefactual material in
the vicinity of the well itself. The last is an anticipated outcome of
subsequent use of the well site as the town water supply and residence of
the Cox family. This is discussed in more detail at paragraph 8.2.2. In
addition intervention by subsequent local visitors to the site could be
assumed to have resulted in the removal of "curios" and re-useable
materials. For example, the pastoral lessees at Mount Poole and Peak Hill
stations have removed items such as the wheelbarrow wheel now located
at Peak Hill and presently associated with a range of blacksmithing
implements and a 1930s motor vehicle. Oral history suggests the
wheelbarrow was removed to the homestead many years ago. Its wheel is
immovable on the axle as was common practice at the end of the 19th
century for heavy carts in northern China and Manchuria (King, 1911 :239).
Site disturbance continues to be an issue, with several timbers present at
Chinaman's Garden Well in 1988 and 1989 having since been removed,
perhaps for reuse or firewood.