New excavation of 'rings of mystery' in Victoria reveals rich Aboriginal history

[Judi Lynn]

Published: January 7, 2025 5:23pm EST



Earth ring on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country, near Sunbury, Victoria. David Mullins

On the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia, there is a series of large rings which rise mysteriously out of hills.

These “earth rings”, located on Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country in the suburb of Sunbury, aren’t natural phenomena. In fact, they represent large scale feats of human endeavour. They also represent the ancient and ongoing connection Aboriginal people have to Country.

Our new study, published today in Australian Archaeology, presents the results of the only known archaeological excavation of one of these rings combined with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung understanding of these enigmatic places.

It expands our understanding of the richness and diversity of Australia’s archaeological record, created over more than 65,000 years of continuous occupation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

. . .

Many earth rings were destroyed following European colonisation and land development. It’s estimated that hundreds of earth rings once existed in New South Wales and Queensland alone. But only around 100 remain today. A smaller number of rings are documented in Victoria – including five earth rings in Sunbury.

. . .



The study area showing (A) the Sunbury landscape; (B) an aerial view of Sunbury Ring G; and (C) the location in southeastern Australia (figure courtesy of Zara Lasky-Davison). VicMap 2024, Department of Transport and Planning 2024, NearMap 2024, Google Satellite 2024

More:
https://theconversation.com/new-excavation-of-rings-of-mystery-in-victoria-reveals-rich-aboriginal-history-246408

[wnylib]

1. Australian aboriginal cultures are interesting.

Their ancestors entered Australia at least 50,000 years ago. Their cultures are among the oldest for modern humans that are still intact - or at least partially intact after the influence of Europeans.