Samantha

Lastro
17691867

Willandra Lakes Archaeological Investigations 1968-1998:

Impact of remains found for Aboriginal Australian recognition.

When we think Aboriginals, we do not recognize them as the first people to walk
the Earth. We talk of their dreamtime and how they were part of the European
Settlement but nowhere does it state that they were here first. The recognition of
Aboriginal people and their history is the reason behind this essay. Looking into
their background and the way in which the Willandra Lakes Investigations of
1968 impacted them is something that needs to be clarified. Looking into this
past event can help to shape the future of Aboriginal history as well as give
recognition as to why this is important.

The Willandra Lakes region is a large semi-arid area of landscape in the Murray
Basin south western of New South Wales. These lakes used to be full of deep,
fresh water 30,000 years ago but that ended approximately 19,000 years ago and
has remained dry ever since. The Willandra Lakes is a system of five
interconnected lakes that create a system formed over the last two million years
in the shape of a crescent shaped dune almost like a moon. Aboriginal
Australians were believed to inhabit the shoreline for more than 50,000 years
that demonstrates they have been here for a long time.

The investigations that took
place at Willandra Lakes
during 1968-98 were based on
sediments and archaeological
exposures that identify issues
and problems faced by
researchers who have
investigated its archaeological
record. 1 The regions
archaeology was limited in
sample analysis, which is why
Picture courtesy of NSW National Parks of the Willandra
the recognition of Mungo Man is so Lakes Region 1998
highly criticized. Due to how
poorly understood these areas of investigation are, and due to limited amounts

1 Harvey Johnston and Peter Clark, Willandra Lakes Archaeological

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Government, Willandra Lakes
Region World Heritage Area [image], (2016), <
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/conservation-and-heritage/willandra-
lakes>, 1, accessed 4 Oct. 2017.

 Samantha Lastro
17691867
of samples being recorded, there is doubt as to whether these remains pre-date
first Australians. With limited knowledge of the Willandra Lakes region, the
investigations into the region established that it was difficult to determine if
remains were indeed aboriginal.

Tauto Sansbury, a veteran South Australian campaigner and Narungga
Aboriginal elder stated we were here before Captain Cook landed but this still
hasn't been acknowledged2 demonstrating the lack of recognition for
Aboriginals despite the proof. During the Willandra Lakes Investigations, and the
discovery of the remains found in the Lakes region, caused further excavations,
field trips and collections to occur. Though there had been numerous
investigations into the archaeological process and determining the age of
remains was questioned, the unearthing of these remains was significant.

Current research contradicts earlier
statements that Indigenous
Australians were not the first
people in Australia. This evidence
comes from the discovery of Mungo
Man and Mungo Lady. The
discovery of these new remains
puts the inhabitants on Earth for
more than 43,000 years making the
clarification necessary for
recognition. What these remains
Photo courtesy of News Corp Australia of skeletal remain represent is as pertinent as ever;
of Mungo Man from 1974 that Aboriginal people are fighting
for recognition.


2 Oliver Milman, Indigenous Australians want treaty, not constitutional

recognition, says elder, The Guardian, Indigenous Australians, 12 July. 2015,

para. 14, < https://www.theguardian.com/australia-
news/2015/jul/12/indigenous-australians-want-treaty-not-constitutional-
recognition-says-elder>, accessed 2 Oct. 2017.

Nick Whigham, New research proves Aboriginal people were Australias first
inhabitants [image],
<http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/evolution/new-research-
proves-aboriginal-people-were-australias-first-inhabitants/news-
story/819f8f8965cedcc1503048c383fc499a>, accessed 8 Oct. 2017.


 Samantha Lastro
17691867

This region is now considered a World Heritage Site due to the connection with
the Mungo National Park, which covers about two-thirds of Lake Mungo.3 This
connection establishes that though Willandra Lakes was investigated for their
archaeological processes, the archaeological discovery of Mungo Man and Mungo
Lady has created a place of significance as it has placed Lake Mungo on the map.

The recognition of Mungo Man and his remains have been considered
controversial and have been met with a general lack of acceptance in scientific
communities.4 This is due to the lack of samples gathered and the way in which
archaeological investigations were carried out within the region of Willandra
Lakes.

Most of the knowledge that we have of early
existence in Australia comes from the findings of
archaeology. Physical remains of human activity
that have survived the process of archaeology
include large stone tools, art made from rock,
ochre, deposits of charcoal, shell middens and
human skeletal remains. All the items described
provide valuable information on Aboriginal
Australian culture. It is the skeletal remains of
Mungo Man and Mungo Lady that are in
question, however some of these physical
remains were buried with the bodies. This Photo courtesy of Getty images of red ochre
demonstrates that they are somehow linked to found on remains from 2011

Aboriginal culture through the survival of certain
processes.

3 Department of the Environment and Energy,

Australian Government, World Heritage Places: Willandra Lakes Region (2016),

<<http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/willandra>, 19,
accessed 9 Oct. 2017.

4 Fran Dorey, The spread of people to Australia, Australian Museum [website],

(2015) < https://australianmuseum.net.au/the-spread-of-people-to-australia>,

para. 5, accessed 1 Oct. 2017.

Repatriated Aboriginal Remains Reburied in Arnhem Land [image], (2011) <
http://www.gettyimages.com.au/event/repatriated-aboriginal-remains-
reburied-in-arnhem-land-119555862?#human-remains-are-painted-with-red-
ochre-as-part-of-the-repatriation-picture-id119396652>, accessed 2 Oct. 2017.


 Samantha Lastro
17691867

Mungo Man had ochre over his skeletal remains, which was considered
important as it represents the blood of ancestral beings and can provide
protection and strength5. This ochre was considered to be of significance and if
you were buried with it, then it meant that you were imperative. This
representation of symbolism with his remains establishes that Mungo Man was
crucial to the culture of Aboriginal people.

However even though there was all this evidence, there was a lot of suspicion at
the time amongst a lot of international researchers in ancient DNA that there was
a distinct possibility the results were due to contamination6. Due to having
limited samples the investigations could not prove that the remains were
aboriginal. They were able to prove that the remains were from a long time ago
but that was all due to the limited resources.

"The reason for the suspicion was that the sequences for Mungo Man, in
particular, were very unusual and gave rise to the thought that Aboriginal
people were not in fact the first Australians that there was a group there
before them and that Aboriginal people displaced them7. However after careful
analysis the bones of Mungo Man were seen as not so different from those of
Aboriginal descent.

Over time, the recognition of these remains have shown Aboriginal Australians
to be viewed with more respect but not to the extent where recognition of being
the first Australians is represented. The remains of Mungo Man have also played
a significant role within the Aboriginal community, in establishing the Willandra
Lakes region as a world heritage area and giving Aboriginal people a sense of
pride. Though there is pride within the Aboriginal community, the people are
angry with archaeologists and what they have been contributing to the
community.

5 Fran Dorey, The spread of people to Australia, Australian Museum [website],

(2015) < https://australianmuseum.net.au/the-spread-of-people-to-australia>,

para. 5, accessed 1 Oct. 2017.

6 Dani Cooper, New DNA technology confirms Aboriginal people as first

Australians, ABC News Science, 7 June. 2016, para. 24, <

http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2016-06-07/dna-confirms-aboriginal-
people-as-the-first-australians/7481360>, accessed 1 Oct. 2017.

7 Dani Cooper, New DNA technology confirms Aboriginal people as first

Australians, ABC News Science, 7 June. 2016, para. 24, <

http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2016-06-07/dna-confirms-aboriginal-
people-as-the-first-australians/7481360>, accessed 1 Oct. 2017.
 Samantha Lastro
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Relationships between archaeologists and Aboriginal people can be considered
tense at times, with the Aboriginal people not liking the fact that archaeologists
are digging on traditional and sacred land. This division has been a result of
archaeologists removing Indigenous human remains from their burials and
subsequent analysis, non-Indigenous driven research projects that exclude
Indigenous involvement, and interpretations of the past that erase Indigenous
people from the contemporary landscape8. Aboriginal Australians are
commonly known for the link to land and ancestors, so archaeologists taking this
away from them felt like their rights did not matter.

This relationship between Aboriginal
people and archaeologists started from
early investigations, with the Willandra
Lakes Investigations taking part in this.
The remains of Mungo Man and Mungo
Lady were taken from the Aboriginal
community for further examination, not
thinking about the ramifications of what
it meant for the community. Both
Photo courtesy of Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation
Mungo Man and Mungo Lady had been of archaeologist and Aboriginal member
taken from their burial sites and kept
locked up in a box at the Australian National University.

The return of Mungo Lady in 1991 by former ANU archaeologist Alan Thorne
(the archaeologist who found both remains) was a proud moment for the
community with her bones locked away, awaiting reburial9 once Mungo Man is
also returned. With Mungo Lady returned, it is only fair that the same be done
for Mungo Man as he has added to a proud history for Aboriginal Australians
but they are rightly very sensitive about keeping Mungo Man away from Country
any longer10.

8 Caroline Phillips and Harry Allen, Bridging the Divide: Indigenous Communities

and Archaeology into the 21st Century (Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, CA, 2010).

9 Rick Morton, Move to reunite Mungo Man with his Lady, The Australian,

(2014), para. 17, < http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-

science/move-to-reunite-mungo-man-with-his-lady/news-
story/ac0e1939b331137830068a35bd9991d9>, accessed 1 Oct. 2017.

10 Rick Morton, Move to reunite Mungo Man with his Lady, The Australian,

(2014), para. 17, < http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-

science/move-to-reunite-mungo-man-with-his-lady/news-
story/ac0e1939b331137830068a35bd9991d9>, accessed 1 Oct. 2017.

 Samantha Lastro
17691867
Understanding our Aboriginal history is essential. Having the right facts is
necessary for history to be accurate. When it comes to discussing first
Australians, it was thought that Australia had only been inhabited for
approximately 20,000 years. With the discovery of the remains dating back to
40,000 years ago, this proves that Aboriginal Australians were not taken into
consideration.

Within education, the school curriculum has a key focus on Aboriginal studies.
Though it has only recently been adapted within schools, there is a focus on
Aboriginal culture and background. Therefore, having the facts about Aboriginal
people is required. Mungo Man does make an appearance within the education
system so it is only fitting that national recognition11 take place.

The preconceived notion that Aboriginal people were not the first Australians
expresses that though they may not be recognized it is still fact. Just because it is
not stated in the constitution, does not mean that there is no legitimacy to it.
Recognizing that there were people in Australia before it was colonized is
needed for the Aboriginal community to be noticed. There is definitely no
uncertainty that Aboriginal people were in Australia before the settlement of the
Europeans. Whether there were people in Australia before them is irrelevant to
the recognition of Aboriginal people in the constitution12.

This revolutionary discovery has led to numerous accounts of different
representations of the Aboriginal community. It has been questioned whether
they are the first Australians, and with all the evidence it can be seen that there is
merit to this statement. It is now necessary for this to be recognized throughout
Australia. The Willandra Lakes Investigations of 1968-98 have assisted in
recognizing the impact of Aboriginal remains and what this means for Australian
history. Now we need to recognize this and assist this in coming to pass.

Archaeologist and Aboriginal [image], (2017) <
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/4800116/discovery-rewrites-
history-of-australia-uow-researchers/>, accessed 1 Oct. 2017.

11 Jim Bowler, Mungo Man is a physical reminder of the need for Indigenous

recognition, The Guardian, Australia News, 25 Feb. 2014, para. 23, <
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/25/mungo-man-physical-
reminder-need-for-indigenous-recognition>, accessed 28 Sep. 2017.

12 Michael Westaway, Might there have been people in Australia prior to

Aboriginal people?, The Conversation, Arts and Culture, 30 June. 2015, para. 24,
< https://theconversation.com/factcheck-might-there-have-been-people-in-
australia-prior-to-aboriginal-people-43911>, accessed 2 Oct. 2017.

 Samantha Lastro
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Bibliography
PRIMARY:
Johnston, Harvey and Clark, Peter, Willandra Lakes Archaeological
Investigations 1968-98, Archaeology in Oceania, 33 (1998), 105-119.

Bowler, Jim M, Aridity in Australia: age, origins and expression in Aeolian
landforms and sediments, Earth Science Reviews, 12 (1976), 279-310.

Bowler, Jim M, Pleistocene salinities and climate change: evidence from lakes
and lunettes in South-eastern Australia, Australian National University Press,
(1971), Canberra, 47-65.

Allen, Harry, Reinterpreting the 1968-1972 Willandra Lakes Archaeological
surveys, Archaeology in Oceania, 33 (1998), 207-220.

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, NSW Government, Willandra Lakes
Region World Heritage Area [image], (2016), <
http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/conservation-and-heritage/willandra-
lakes>, 1, accessed 4 Oct. 2017.

Whigham, Nick, New research proves Aboriginal people were Australias first
inhabitants, News.com.au, Science, 7 June. 2016, para. 18, <
http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/evolution/new-research-proves-
aboriginal-people-were-australias-first-inhabitants/news-
story/819f8f8965cedcc1503048c383fc499a>, accessed 8 Oct. 2017.

ABC News, Ancient Bones found at Lake Mungo, News Archives, 1968, para. 3,
<http://www.abc.net.au/archives/80days/stories/2012/01/19/3411523.htm>,
accessed 28 Sep. 2017.

Due to copyright information, this website and the content is not allowed to be
copied/referenced into any works. The content of this website is also not to be
communicated to the public unless on the website itself. I have read some of the
information on this website and have communicated through my own words
what I have required.

SECONDARY:
Department of the Environment and Energy, Australian Government, World
Heritage Places: Willandra Lakes Region, (2016),
<http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/world/willandra>, 19,
accessed 9 Oct. 2017.

 Samantha Lastro
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Whigham, Nick, New research proves Aboriginal people were Australias first
inhabitants, News.com.au, Science, 7 June. 2016, para. 18, <
http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/evolution/new-research-proves-
aboriginal-people-were-australias-first-inhabitants/news-
story/819f8f8965cedcc1503048c383fc499a>, accessed 8 Oct. 2017.

Milman, Oliver, Indigenous Australians want treaty, not constitutional
recognition, says elder, The Guardian, Indigenous Australians, 12 July. 2015,
para. 14, < https://www.theguardian.com/australia-
news/2015/jul/12/indigenous-australians-want-treaty-not-constitutional-
recognition-says-elder>, accessed 2 Oct. 2017.

Dorey, Fran The spread of people to Australia, Australian Museum [website],
(2015) < https://australianmuseum.net.au/the-spread-of-people-to-australia>,
para. 5, accessed 1 Oct. 2017.

Repatriated Aboriginal Remains Reburied in Arnhem Land [image], (2011) <
http://www.gettyimages.com.au/event/repatriated-aboriginal-remains-
reburied-in-arnhem-land-119555862?#human-remains-are-painted-with-red-
ochre-as-part-of-the-repatriation-picture-id119396652>, accessed 2 Oct. 2017.

Cooper, Dani, New DNA technology confirms Aboriginal people as first
Australians, ABC News Science, 7 June. 2016, para. 24, <
http://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2016-06-07/dna-confirms-aboriginal-
people-as-the-first-australians/7481360>, accessed 1 Oct. 2017.

Phillips, Caroline and Allen, Harry, Bridging the Divide: Indigenous Communities
and Archaeology into the 21st Century (Left Coast Press, Walnut Creek, CA, 2010).

Allen, Harry and Holdaway, Simon, The Archaeology of Mungo and the Willandra
Lakes: looking back, looking forward, Archaeology in Oceania, 44 (2009), 96-
106.

Morton, Rick, Move to reunite Mungo Man with his Lady, The Australian, (2014),
para. 17, < http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/health-science/move-to-
reunite-mungo-man-with-his-lady/news-
story/ac0e1939b331137830068a35bd9991d9>, accessed 1 Oct. 2017.

Westaway, Michael, Might there have been people in Australia prior to
Aboriginal people?, The Conversation, Arts and Culture, 30 June. 2015, para. 24,
< https://theconversation.com/factcheck-might-there-have-been-people-in-
australia-prior-to-aboriginal-people-43911>, accessed 2 Oct. 2017.

 Samantha Lastro
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Bowler, Jim, Mungo Man is a physical reminder of the need for Indigenous
recognition, The Guardian, Australia News, 25 Feb. 2014, para. 23, <
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/25/mungo-man-physical-
reminder-need-for-indigenous-recognition>, accessed 28 Sep. 2017.