Adec Preview Generated PDF File - The Sydney eScholarship ...

process would result in the bone being represented only by a localised
concentration of bone apatite, further obscured by the processes of wind
and occasional water erosion. This perhaps explains the absence of bone
in the Milparinka assemblage.
The presence of a group of barrel-hoops in the vicinity of quadrat
075s025w suggests that water and perhaps other matter was stored in
wooden barrels at that location for use in the gardens or for domestic
purposes. These may relate to the overlap period, when access to the
water supply previously controlled by the Chinese presumably became
restricted, but could also have been substitutes for the ceramic containers
noted in China by King in 1908, and used to store organic matter for use
as fertiliser.
8.2.5 Evidence of Cultural Significance
At Chinaman's Garden Well there is clear evidence in the form of Chinese
medicine vials, opium tins and related artefacts, Chinese 'Ii' or 'cash' coins
of a Chinese influence. There is also evidence in the form of Chinese food
jar fragments and, although less persuasive, numbers of bowl fragments. I
am satisfied that the two artefact scatters upon which my discussion
centres are of Chinese origin. Unfortunately, only circumstantial arguments
can be put for the cultural origin of the actual well site, there being no
artefact scatter visibly associated with that site feature.
8.2.6 Possible Location of Garden Beds
The area surveyed at Chinaman's Garden Well is essentially level, with a
flood channel of Evelyn Creek to the west, and another between the level
area and the creekbed. The bed of Evelyn Creek is presently at least 1.8
meters below the level ground. The two artefact scatters are quite close to
the edge of the western flood channel, so that the most likely garden
location is east of the scatters.
The supposed location is further suggested by the position of stumps,
perhaps of fence posts, but, equally possible, of fruit trees or grape vines,
and by a row of stones, reasonably clear in 1988 but now disturbed by
cattle. These stumps or posts can be seen in photograph 27, which was
taken towards the north-west from a point on the main traverse, 75 meters
south of the survey origin. The relationship of these posts to the artefact
scatters is demonstrated in the various maps already mentioned and
discussed. Another site feature which suggests the location of the garden
beds are two post stumps, one of which is sawn timber, and a piece of
corrugated iron. Photograph 28 shows the sawn post in detail, while
photograph 29 illustrates the associations between the components of the
site feature. The corrugated iron evidently extends below the ground
surface, but as no excavation has been undertaken further comment is not
possible.