Presentation (8367 kb)

Mining and Major Projects SA: 

Cultural Heritage Presentation 

Recognising, understanding and working with Aboriginal 

Cultural Heritage

AUSTRALIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT: 

Who we are 

‣ ACHM is a multi-disciplinary consultancy firm focussed on working with the 

public and private sectors and Aboriginal groups to assist with the management 

of cultural heritage. We can help you work within the relevant legislative 

requirements to facilitate your project. 

‣ Our consultants and associates include: 

◦ Anthropologists 

◦ Archaeologists 

◦ GIS Experts 

◦ Historians 

◦ Video Ethnographer


What we do 

‣ Some of the work we are 

involved with includes: 

◦ Cultural heritage surveys and 

management plans for land 

subject to planning, residential, 

industrial or resource 

development projects 

◦ Native title research, 

preparation and review of 

connection reports and 

material, and Expert Witness 

reports 

◦ Anthropological, archaeological 

and historical research 

◦ Geographic Information 

Systems (GIS) research, analysis 

and mapping


What we do (cont.) 

‣ Our clients include: 

• Commercial Corporations; these are often in relation to 

mining and infrastructure projects. 

• Commonwealth, State and Local Government Agencies 

• Aboriginal Organisations 

• Legal Firms 

‣We have offices in Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth, and 

conduct work throughout Australia.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S CULTURAL HERITAGE: 

Aboriginal Heritage Legislation 

‣ In assisting our clients to manage South Australia’s Aboriginal 

cultural heritage, we are bound by the South Australian 

Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 (AHA). According to the AHA, all 

Aboriginal sites, objects and skeletal remains are afforded 

legal protection. 

‣ Section 23 of the AHA states: 

A person must not, without the authority of the Minister— 

(a) damage, disturb or interfere with any Aboriginal site; or 

(b) damage any Aboriginal object; or 

(c) where any Aboriginal object or remains are found— 

(i) disturb or interfere with the object or remains; or 

(ii) remove the object or remains.


Aboriginal Heritage Legislation (cont.) 

‣ If such disturbance or damage 

does occur, the maximum 

penalty that can be incurred 

is: 

• $50 000 for a body corporate, 

or 

• $10 000 or 6 months’ 

imprisonment in any other case 

‣ It is not a legal requirement 

for a developer to undertake 

a cultural heritage survey 

prior to conducting ground 

disturbing works. However, it 

is highly recommended in 

order to avoid inadvertently 

disturbing a site, and 

breaching the AHA


Aboriginal Heritage Legislation (cont.) 

‣ It is also required by law that 

any owner/occupier of private 

land, or an employee or agent 

of the owner/occupier who 

comes across an Aboriginal 

site, object or remains on that 

land, must report the nature 

and location of the site to the 

Minister as soon as 

practicable. 

‣ Failure to do this can result in 

the same maximum penalties 

as for disturbance of a site: 

• $50 000 for a body corporate, 

or 

• $10 000 or 6 months’ 

imprisonment in any other case

ABORIGINAL HERITAGE SITES, OBJECTS AND REMAINS: 

What they are 

‣ According to the AHA, an ‘Aboriginal site’ or an 

‘Aboriginal Object’ is defined as an area of land or an 

object: 

• that is of significance according to Aboriginal tradition; 

or 

• that is of significance to Aboriginal archaeology, 

anthropology or history 

‣ ‘Aboriginal remains’ refers to the whole or part of the 

skeletal remains of an Aboriginal person, except for 

those remains that have been buried in accordance with 

the law of the State


Sites of Significance to Aboriginal Archaeology 

‣Some examples of sites of significance to Aboriginal 

Archaeology include: 

•an area in which stone tools are identified 

•a scarred tree (or culturally modified tree), which has 

been cut to make a shield, bowl or canoe 

•a campsite or fireplace 

•a burial site


Sites of Significance to Aboriginal Archaeology


Sites of Significance to Aboriginal Anthropology 

‣ A site of significance to 

Aboriginal Anthropology may 

be an area in which an event 

that is part of a ‘Dreaming’ 

story has occurred, or where 

a Creation ancestor has 

travelled through. 

‣ These places and the 

knowledge associated with 

them are often secret, and 

information may be restricted 

according to gender, age, or 

level of initiation and 

responsibility.


Sites of Significance to Aboriginal History 

‣ A site of significance to Aboriginal History is usually an area where a 

historical event in the lives of Aboriginal people has occurred; e.g. a mission 

site or a place where a massacre occurred. 

Ernabella School, children in line outside the school house, SA, 1946 

Part of the Charles Guguid collection, National Library of Australia


Objects of Significance to Aboriginal Tradition, 

Archaeology, Anthropology or History 

‣ Some examples of objects 

which are significant 

according to Aboriginal 

tradition, archaeology, 

anthropology and history 

are: 

• Grind stones 

• Hammer stones 

• Cutting tools


Objects of Significance to Aboriginal Tradition, 

Archaeology, Anthropology or History (cont.)

ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE SURVEYS 

‣Conducting an Aboriginal heritage survey prior to commencing 

ground disturbing work will help to ensure developers avoid disturbing 

or damaging any Aboriginal sites, objects or remains. 

‣Usually, a team will first visit the survey area to assess the 

anthropology of the area, followed by a team who will assess the 

archaeology of the area. 

‣The aim of the surveys is to identify any Aboriginal sites, to record 

these sites, and to consider ways in which they can be managed 

throughout and after the ground disturbing works.

ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE SURVEYS: 

Archaeology Survey 

‣During the archaeology survey, archaeologists visit the proposed work area 

with members of the local Traditional Owner group. 

‣The archaeological survey team attempt to identify any surface archaeological 

material by walking along exposed land within the study area. They also assess 

the potential for there to be any underlying archaeological deposits within the 

area.


Archaeology Survey (cont.) 

‣If any archaeological material 

is identified, the archaeologists 

record the objects or site 

using: 

•a hand-held Global 

Positioning System (GPS) 

•digital photography 

•written field notes to 

capture the intra-site 

details of the site.


Anthropology Survey and Consultation 

‣ Anthropologists also visit the 

survey area with Elders from 

the local Traditional Owner 

group who are knowledgeable 

in the ethnography and 

mythology associated with 

the area. 

‣ The group usually traverse 

the survey area by vehicle, 

and stop at certain vantage 

points or areas of significance 

to discuss the anthropology 

of the area and the impact of 

the proposed works on any 

sites of significance.


Anthropology Survey and Consultation (cont.) 

‣ If any sites of anthropological 

significance are identified within 

the survey area, the 

anthropologists record the site 

using: 

• a hand-held GPS 

• Digital photography 

• written fieldnotes to record 

information about the cultural 

significance of the site 

• video camera (if desired by 

the Traditional Owner group) 

• audio recording (if desired by 

the Traditional Owner group)


Anthropology Survey and Consultation (cont.)


Reporting and Recommendations for Site Protection 

‣ After the survey is completed, the archaeologists and 

anthropologists compile a report including background research of 

the area, the results of the survey, the details of any sites of 

Aboriginal significance that were recorded, and recommendations 

for the conservation and management of culturally significant sites. 

‣ Where possible, the various stakeholders will look for ways that 

the proposed works can go ahead without impacting on sites of 

cultural significance. Recommendations for protecting heritage sites 

may include: 

• Shifting the proposed work footprint to accommodate protection of a 

site of significance 

• Engaging members of the Traditional Owner group as monitors during 

ground disturbing works 

• Following the site discovery procedure

SITE DISTURBANCE: 

Application to the Minister to disturb a site 

‣If it is not possible to avoid a site of significance, and the developer wishes to go ahead 

with the work, an application to disturb the site must first be made to the Minister for 

Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. 

‣The Minister will then determine whether the site is or should be registered with the 

Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division of the Department for Premier and Cabinet 

(DPC-AARD), and whether the proposed disturbance to the site is warranted and should 

be authorised.


Application to the Minister to disturb a site 

• Before making such a determination, the Minister must, 

under Section 13 of the AHA, consult with the Aboriginal 

Heritage Committee, and any Aboriginal organisation, 

Traditional Owners or other Aboriginal persons who have an 

interest in the matter. In doing so, the Minister must accept 

the views of the Traditional Owners of the land or object on 

the question of whether it is of significance according to 

Aboriginal tradition. 

• If a site of significance is to be destroyed, archaeologists may 

first undertake a salvage operation, to record the site in its 

current state, remove aspects of the site and relocate them 

elsewhere in accordance with the wishes of the Traditional 

Owner group.

Archaeologists undertaking an excavation of an Aboriginal 

site 


Excavation and 

Salvage Operations

TRADITIONAL OWNER GROUPS: 

What is meant by Traditional Owner 

‣ According to the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1998, a 

‘Traditional Owner’ of an Aboriginal site or object is: 

‘an Aboriginal person who, in accordance with Aboriginal 

tradition, has social, economic or spiritual affiliations with, 

and responsibilities for, the site or object’ 

‣ In many cases, the Traditional Owner group will have 

lodged a Native Title Claim for a particular area, and 

under Commonwealth and State Native Title legislation, 

will have the right to be consulted about ground 

disturbing work proposed within their claim area.

TRADITIONAL OWNER GROUPS: 

Adelaide Region 

‣ Several Traditional Owner groups have historically occupied the greater 

Adelaide region, including the Kaurna of the Adelaide Plains, the 

Ngarrindjeri further south around the Coorong and Lakes, the Peramangk 

of the Adelaide hills, the Nukunu further north, and the Narrunga of Yorke 

Peninsula. 

‣ Several of these groups have submitted Native Title Claim Applications. 

Aboriginal Tribal Boundaries in the Adelaide-Fleurieu Peninsula region as researched by Tindale (1974)

THE KAURNA OF THE ADELAIDE PLAINS: 

Land and Boundaries 

‣ Historical and anthropological references indicate that 

the Kaurna held traditional ownership over land 

extending from Crystal Brook and the Clare Valley in 

the north, to Cape Jervis at the southern end of the 

Fleurieu Peninsula, and extending east into the Adelaide 

Hills (see Edwards 1972; Groome and Irvine 1981; 

Hemming 1990; Tindale 1974). 

‣ The Kaurna are the Native Title Claimants for this area 

and are currently represented by the Kaurna Nation 

Cultural Heritage Association Inc. (KNCHA).


Land and Boundaries (cont.)


Population and Occupation 

‣ The Kaurna were a very 

populous society, with more 

than 20 clans living between 

the foothills of the Mount Lofty 

Ranges and the coastal beaches, 

estuaries and wetlands, before 

European colonisation. 

‣During the summer, the Kaurna 

held large gatherings and ceremonial 

progressions along the coastline, 

during which they would: 

•meet and trade with visitors 

from other tribes 

•fish and hunt 

•follow and celebrate the 

creation journeys and the 

lawgiving of Creation 

Ancestors, such as Tjilbruke 

(Tindale 1987). 

Kuri Dance in Adelaide c. 1844. Probably painted by W. Cawthorne. 

Courtesy of the SA Museum.


Population and Occupation (cont.) 

• During the winter, the 

Kaurna generally moved 

inland to more sheltered 

locations in the Mount 

Lofty Ranges foot hills 

(Tindale 1987:10) and to 

villages along the coastal 

streams. 

• These streams provided 

watered access routes 

across the land and 

continue to be important 

sites for the Kaurna, both 

archaeologically and 

anthropologically. 

A camp in the Adelaide Park Lands c.1870 N.B.Tindale 

collection, Courtesy of the SA 

Museum


Places of Significance 

‣Places of particular cultural significance for the Kaurna exist 

throughout the greater Adelaide area and particularly along the 

watercourses and the coastline. 

‣Some of these places are related to the creation stories of 

ancestors such as Tjilbruke, while others are archaeological 

campsites and burial sites that indicate historic occupation of 

Aboriginal people. 

‣Many sites have been disturbed or destroyed by development 

since European colonisation. ACHM works with Aboriginal 

Traditional Owners and proponents wishing to use the land for 

infrastructure, mining and other developments to ensure 

cultural heritage is appropriately managed. We also address 

European heritage places as they arise.


Ongoing connection to the land 

‣Kaurna people today have a strong, ongoing connection to their land and 

places of significance. The Kaurna work to maintain their cultural practices, 

particularly through activities at cultural centres like Warriparinga, in Marion. 

‣Some of these activities include: 

•Canoe building 

•Language learning and recording 

•Use of native vegetation. 

‣Knowledge about Kaurna places, culture 

and language is being passed down from the 

Elders to the younger Kaurna people, and 

cultural heritage surveys provide an additional 

opportunity for this to occur. 

Golden wattle (minnow) sap, known as mangka, 

can be used as an adhesive, as well as for 

‘behaviour modification’ when placed in 

children’s mouths, or for taking out loose teeth.

FURTHER READING 

• Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988 (South Australia) 

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/sa/consol_act/aha1988164/ 

• Edwards, R. 1972. The Kaurna People of the Adelaide Plains. South 

Australian Museum, Adelaide. 

• Groome, H. and J. Irvine. 1981. The Kaurna, First People in Adelaide. 

Tjintu Books, Adelaide. 

• Hemming, S. 1990. ''Kaurna' identity: a brief history', Journal of the 

Anthropological Society of South Australia, 28(2):127-142. 

• Native Title Act 1993 

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/nta1993147/ 

• Tindale, N.B. 1974. Aboriginal Tribes of Australia. Australian National 

University Press, Canberra. 

• Tindale, N.B. 1987. 'The Wanderings of Tjirbruki', in Records of the 

South Australian Museum, 20: 5-13 

• Warriparinga Wetlands Cultural Centre 

http://www.qguide.com.au/story/adelaide/Warriparinga-Wetlands- 

Cultural-Centre.php

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