Stones, stories and ceremonies: A Gamilaraay, Arrernte, Luritja, Pitjantatjarra, Yankuntjatjarra perspective

Cylcons are common in Australia, reported early accounts (e.g., by Etheridge, McCarthy) as spiritually important for Aboriginal people, but where the Indigenous perspectives on these stones? Here we provide two stories about our engagement with objects and then look at an archaeological excavation that allowed culture science to come together helping us interpret stones. Les cylcons sont objetss fréquente en Australie, signalés dans les premiers récits (par exemple par comme étant spirituellement importants pour Aborigènes, mais où points de vue Aborigène sur ces pierres importantes ? Ici, nous fournissons deux histoires notre avec objets, puis discutent une fouille archéologique qui a permis à la et se réunir aider interpréter pierres. The first recorded sighting of (Cylindro-conical stones) European was possibly Mathew Flinders 1802, when he made notes description his journals. observations Etheridge (1916) is far earliest attempt understand implements. He suggested they maps waterways feeding into Darling River. However, given times exclusion input it difficult determine authenticity this statement. No recognition or acknowledgement indigenous perspective mentioned. Ethnographers, anthropologists more recently archaeologists, have not found need do so. including traditional name such “Yurda” “Wommagnaranara” would surely imply discussions occupants Since (1916), there been other attempts form, features function Cylcons. There variety shapes sizes throughout Australia short blunt ended, straight, slightly rounded ends. Some can be curved end, most sharp distal point conical shape. They range from 15 cm over 76 long. What also implements raw materials. These include argillaceous harder sandstones, quartzite, basalt, slate white clay (gypsum) phyllite. were roughly flaked shape, sometimes battered, pounded, ground finished form. recording Cylcon did mention material object. could geometric figurative designs both them. Others had no them all. majority bear irregular flake scars around base. McCarthy (1976, p. 68) suggests used magical purposes (in rain hunting magic) charms against sickness. Cundy (1985) postulates buried recovered later future ceremonies ritual. utilitarian function, ritual being reason why morphological variation among (see 1985). Black (1942) inclined regard having ceremonial significance. According Ethridge settlers apparently knew obtained account local Aborigines[sic]. one example Hughenden, North Queensland, which recorded. described (Cylcons) 6 17 inches long, circular cross section, tapering end flattened even cupped other; incised many combinations simple linear signs. Argillaceous sandstone prevalent, types used, often water-rolled pebbles. thought stones exposed denudation. Though known basin occur Melville Island off north-east coast Woolgai Queensland Hail Creek Central Queensland. Now let's different, First Australian perspective. My introduction came I quite young, my teenage years. It occurred while travelling through Walpiri Country, cattle station north Alice Springs. called Napaby Station, ducked bush “gillawarr” (Wiradjuri word going toilet), uncle, aunty family. returned vehicle told uncle directed him were. immediately chastised me explained things sacred part men's business, “wee-eye” (a uninitiated boy greater Australia) like myself, view acknowledge naivety said speak any cousins, indeed Aunty. Nothing else said. notice objects, standing upright carved shiny black least memory. final words Uncle quizzed their purpose was, you know find out due course, go ceremony. Well, time yet items great secrecy continued present themselves mainly because academic career direction chose pursue. next interactions undergraduate working assistant Dr Johan Kamminga National Museum Australia. Dr. re-classifying Murray collection. We discussed possibilities some objects. recognized were, significance attached pinpoint exact usage. While discussing ashamedly, derogatory “fine country folk” “Gin Busters”. During spent Charles Sturt University lecturer, initially School Arts Cultural Heritage, taught students field surveying documenting cultural sites carried out. ever school collaboration Sydney Archaeology, exercises Kinchega Park Menindee Lakes, western NSW. survey included young men participants representing community officers. father worked Parks Wildlife Service Ranger. able observe participate occasion asked accompany new homestead. When arrived, unlocked garage showed collected stored. very phallic shape hallmarks implement belonged man “high order” what observing. put forward explanation agreed, however, conclusive information passed exhibited Creek, shown signs completion (with ochre) after seeing well participating own desert, believe blanks, whereby use explained. has much discussion secondary use, makes sense. Most tools multifunctional. For example, coolamons shields only carrying babies digging implements, water carriers winnowing. Other tools, hand axes, hammerstones grinding multi-functional tools. physical encounter NSW 2010. previously seen pictures McCarthy's (1976) publication something them, mysterious potency. Part work brief perform inventory Office Environment Heritage (OEH) Hurstville collection housed lower car park. several One broken repair (unsuccessfully). As tried realized people wanted talk let alone near If speak, say? site section below Excavation details) amazing journey turns significant site, just scientific world, importantly Wirri owners country. relate back Traditional Owners, religious This gives insight practices, still performed today. week contacted friend mentor, Tex Skuthorpe, Gamilaraay (Nhunggabarra), Goodooga NSW, Tuckadee, educator, artist, storyteller. aware explain few me, right now? am up Bowen Basin, Creek. said, oh, that's interesting from. Granny tell proceeded grandmother 25 years prior, than 100 St George, south central supposed moved reburied every ten so extremely sacred. protection. Very knowledge understanding probably good reason. will remain. they? say think completely differently portable stone, artefacts themselves? stone functional use. beyond technical analysis. From hold lot kinship relationships people. processed site. particular design, weight, transported. sent gift obligation, lore. happen left according surprising, vary depending group belong to. covered ochre, painted, soaked before On arrival represent lore, kin woman men. Had actually unearthed manufacturing (Figure 3) templates? testable conversation women, men, spatial analysis system get relationships. treat person, blood (so speak) medicine (and psychology) engage. Badger Bates, Senior Barkindji Broken Hill Wilcannia area, familiar wide interpretations appropriate ways dealing stories. In particular, different approaches gender dispersal knowledge. follow conventions may (Badger Bates personnel comms 2022). important. (selected individuals) carve ochre power. laid parts space designated happen, women (at time) learn aspects life. Generally, grandmother, places exist (Tex Skuthorpe personal comm 2012). display, clear relationship your group, within tribal boundaries without. Your Identity Tingha (totem) psychology, linked systems. depicted four radiating circles. centre you, self. Next circle Then close family blood, related certain way maybe. last national identity, nation language group. all those attended rites passage (Paul Spearim comm, 2010). Basin during February 2012, revealed materials highly With all-Aboriginal team, sub-surface investigation newly located hearths, artefact scatters, open camp previous survey. survey, Sam believed (Figures 1 2) surface 100–200 m away excavated hearths. decided excavate directly under it, followed team excavating, who subsequently became involved. associated region, rarely situ. generally similar Tjurunga (Tjaringah) prehistoric period until coming Europeans. reasons. Basin. situ cache, bundled. Secondly artefacts, consisted of, limited to, various preforms, suggest tool includes cores, hammer stones, pods, faceted fishhook file, Tula slugs, trimmed flakes large 1.2 length (possible grindstone Cylcon). outcrop 400 adjacent gully. Raw petrified wood, silcrete, chert, mudstone, sandstone, red unidentified fine grained siliceous Over four- hundred fifty depth 40 2.5 × square. “Cylcon Site”. proceeded, started see emerge excavation. Hammer material, softer silcrete showing pounding. preforms battered rather ground. 4583 evidence reduction process it. involved flaking, pounding, abrasion finally coating ochre. Four base excavation, Figure 6). object (1.2 long), battering, its surface. Ochre opened, others unopened, scatted uniformed sediment deposit placement simultaneously cache Brennan & Wickman (2012) Subsequently proposed Figures 3-5 ). authors unveil secret intricacies presumptuous dangerous. hopefully enlighten bringing regarding discipline archaeology. rare. appear There's lots debate function. kinds sorts sizes. They're easy thing deal sacredness slowly together, continually seeing. Every day ceremony boss man, got after, day. hole, together. really connected doing here. Subsequently, same stayed 7). revival culture, reconnection health wellbeing. Open Cut Mining Site, additional Indeed, Allen (1973), McCourt (1975) significance, participation, correct. appreciation technological processes, actual knowing entirely understandings viewpoints. ability peers stops analyses. must phenomena “emic” view. Gender considered interpreting role overall setting. Taçon (1991), explains rock surfaces Arnhem land. bright pigment applied surfaces, male female symbols united produce especially powerful image resonate. adds life vitality (Taçon, 1991, pp. 5–6). markings how read it? How might know, thing's sure, very, interpreted appropriately norms groups nature interpretation manage viewpoints therefore, broader An emic essential. importance contemporary gets dismissed archaeologists. careers, spans three decades, experienced debunking It's unjustified unwarranted, comes question sources, archaeologists true facilitate relevant questions, communities wishing research country, scientists disciplines. help science-culture nexus research, better heritage outcomes bought viewpoint realm Archaeology. stimulated lengthy debating narratives exploring Scientist. marriage. archaeology closely giving extra layer interpretation. talked circles, travels distances. song goes constellations sky, obvious night. animals ground, surrounding landscape features. Tribal carry Tjukabah (Tjukurapa) lore particularly proper Red Band Men. band signifies one's graduation manhood proper. inclusion ceremony, protects ways. Both across semi-arid arid regions After researching record events located, strong suggestion influenced participated amounts looked caution respect, potency power Communities wishes paramount project Nations People understood, implemented, supported Archaeologist. Involvement beginning material. Lindsay concluded despair. stated, Mr. Harper's remarks, “I regret unable discover satisfactory reasons existence” (Etheridge, 1916 :2). Additionally, concludes that; “After investigations remain mystery River Valley” (Black, 1942, fact blank testifies marker, show 1). provided processes uses Cylcons, likely, extended northern authors’ sightings comparisons participation individuals. dismiss Etheridge's conclusions blanks record, however (just yet). Secondly, strongly suggest, specific desert undertaken well, fall belt. likely Whether known, further required confirm if manufactured None Could templates manufacture shaped completely. assume painting soaking process. Cundy's forms match assemblage. Much needs artefacts. posed suggestions. based lines etic. Designs characteristics experiences conclusions. combined communities, mentors, colleges, weight Finally, relating kangaroo emu following (Tjukurpa). Churinga/Tjaringa message sticks, item practice form (Supporting Information). access publishing facilitated Sydney, Wiley - agreement via Council Librarians. Please note: publisher responsible content functionality supporting supplied authors. Any queries (other missing content) should corresponding author article.