Traces of past lifestyles
Aboriginal people have lived in the area known as New South Wales for at least 45,000 years. Many sites around the state show the remains of Aboriginal occupation, or are significant to Aboriginal communities today.
These places are known as Aboriginal sites. They are important to Aboriginal people for social, spiritual, historical, and commemorative reasons. Many Aboriginal people have deep spiritual and emotional ties to Aboriginal sites.
There are over 35,000 known Aboriginal sites in NSW. They range from large shell middens on the coast, to small surface scatters of stone artefacts on the inland semi-arid plains.
Aboriginal sites are found all over the landscape, including:
- in towns and cities
- on popular beaches
- along river banks and tracks
- on open plains
- in dense forests.
Different environments and cultural practices produce different types of sites. European development has destroyed many sites, and those that remain need to be protected.
Aboriginal sites can tell archaeologists a lot about the history of Aboriginal people in NSW.
Occupation sitesShell middens, rock shelters and open camp sites all show where Aboriginal people have lived.
Stone toolsSee how tools were made by grinding or flaking stone, and learn how to look for signs of Aboriginal toolmaking in the bush.
Other sitesGet information on ceremonial grounds, carved trees, scarred trees and stone arrangements.
Page last updated: 09 February 2012
