Unveiling of Wiradjuri’s sacred carved trees

In a historic collaboration between the Wiradjuri people, the NSW State Government and archaeologists, new research has revealed the hidden history of carved trees (marara) and burials (dhabuganha) from Wiradjuri in south-eastern Australia.

Led by a collaborative effort between Central Tablelands Local Land Services, Gaanha-bula Action Group, Orange Local Indigenous Land Council, Yarrawula Ngullubul Men’s Corporation, La Trobe University and the University of Denver in the United States, this project brought together traditional Wiradjuri cultures knowledge and cutting-edge archaeological techniques in ground penetrating radar and 3D modeling, to shine a light on these sacred places.

The research, published in Australian archeologydiscovered a new understanding of the marara and dhabuganha locations, ensuring the long-term protection and management of these locations, and contributed to the repatriation and reburial of ancestors who were evicted from these and other locations without consent .

Today, only a small number of marara remain and most dhabuganha are no longer visible due to erosion and modern land use practices. Using ground-penetrating radar at one location, teams were able to non-invasively analyze and map changes in the ground to refine the understanding of the resting place of a high-ranking Wiradjuri man.

Central Tablelands Local Land Services Indigenous Communities Manager Greg Ingram welcomed the discovery.

“This is an exciting opportunity and partnership for an Aboriginal-led science project with Wiradjuri Elders leading Western science to support their existing cultural knowledge of landscape and burial practices where cultural indicators do not exist. were not obvious due to land management patterns since colonization. ” said Ingram.

Wiradjuri elder Uncle Neil Ingram said the Wiradjuri philosophy of Yindyamarra (cultural respect) was an important part of this project.

“We were able to share our knowledge together about the country, and it was very respectful and important. It was a good demonstration that Western methodology, traditional methodology and culture, values, land and connection to the country can go hand in hand.” » said Uncle Neil.

La Trobe University lead researcher Dr Caroline Spry said that by incorporating traditional cultural knowledge into Western scientific research, it promoted a deeper understanding of marara and dhabuganha.

“Wiradjuri mararas are enigmatic and unique to Australia and the world, but many are also nearing the end of their natural life cycle. When you Google these trees, you will only find information written by non-Wiradjuri that don’t paint an accurate picture of what they represent,” Spry said.

“Our research reveals a hidden history of Australia and encourages people to reconsider their own view of these trees in relation to Wiradjuri perspectives. For the Wiradjuri people, they are sacred places that tell a story about traditions, beliefs, traditional cultural practices and the Wiradjuri country. pathways between the earthly world and the heavenly world,” Spry said.