Nyungar Boodjar | Country
Aboriginal Heritage Sites
Backing up the primary knowledge of the Nyungar, archaeologists have found semi-permanent campsites near North Lake, Bibra Lake and along the Cockburn Coast. Artefacts and rock engravings found in this area also reflect use of the land. Chert stone artefacts indicate continual use for at least 2,000 years.
Examples of recorded Aboriginal Heritage sites for the Cockburn coast area can be found below. For a more complete list, please refer to Resources & Downloads. The Department of Aboriginal Affairs holds all updated records of these sites.
Photo
Site Name
Site Type
Evidence Type
Ceremonial, Mythological, Artefacts/Scatter (Camp, Hunting Place, Natural Feature)
Both Archaeological and Ethnographic
The above research demonstrates the strong links the Nyungar have always had with the Cockburn coast area. Predominately, these connections are through two focuses, the first being Boodjar utilised as “as part of a particular ‘chain’ or route of favoured camping grounds, linked by wetlands and other water sources throughout the Perth Metropolitan area” and secondly, through mythological (or Dreaming) significance.
These sites are indicative of the history of occupation of Boodjar, and the movement across the Cockburn coast area of the Nyungar people over time, in accordance with traditional activities and traditional prior to and throughout the disruptions of colonial settlement.
These sites are indicative of the history of occupation of Boodjar, and the movement across the Cockburn coast area of the Nyungar people over time, in accordance with traditional activities and traditional prior to and throughout the disruptions of colonial settlement.