20,000 years of history
"Blue Mountains shelter reveals Aboriginal heritage from 20,000 years ago"
"New scientific evidence has revealed people lived in the shelter during the last ice age 20,000 years ago, when the high country was treeless, frozen and – until now – believed to be too hostile for human habitation."
Knowing the cave was an aboriginal site from the start, in 1994 I had contacted the National Parks who arranged an inspection with 3 aboriginal elders from 3 local mobs, Gundungurra, Dharug and Wiradjuri gaining their opinions and approval to use the cave, which was granted.
Inspired by reading "Blue Mountains Dreaming... archaeology of the Blue Mountains" (by Eugene Stockton 1993) many observations and threads of thought I had accumulated over my years of living and growing up in the Blue Mountains, were stitched together giving me a greater understanding and appreciation of the environment that I have the privilege, and responsibility, to live in.
I contacted Eugene and invited him to come and see my cave. He was awestruck by the ease of access, the grandeur of the arch and was wide-eyed as I showed him the depth of sediment by shaking a 6ft crowbar deep into the sandy floor.
He suggested it would be a magnificent dig site, being the deepest sediment he had ever seen in a local cave, but declined my invite due to his advancing years, suggesting I contact the universities.
I eventually copied an email to several australian universities inviting them to inspect the site.
The Australian National University was quick to reply and enthusiastic to come for an inspection.
I explained that my interest was knowledge of the archaeology, geology and general history of the cave.
I had developed my own theories by observation, research, curiosity and quizzing knowledgeable visitors over 25 years.
A major archaeological investigation was finally approved as a collaboration between local indigenous people, Sydney University, Australian National University and Australian Museum under the direction of Dr Amy Way.
Test pits dug in April 2022 divulged enough evidence to encourage a return in July 2022 with a team of eager students.
Further enthused by results, they returned in July 2023 to dig to a final depth of 2300mm, with the top 1500mm showing signs of occupation over a span of 20,000 years (+/- 2-300), confirming that locals were regularly visiting this, and numerous more important sites, in the frigid depths of the last ice age.
This was confirmed by evidence of fireplace remnants with artefacts and/or manuports in situ, in the same strata on numerous levels.....not surprising when you first enter this cave and are embraced by its magnificence and its ongoing appeal to modern homo sapiens; "dogs still bark..."
Returning in March 2023, the dig reached a final depth of 2300mm with lower 800mm showing the consistent gradual decay of the sandstone walls, mainly grain by grain.
It shows that 1500mm of sediment has accumulated over 20,000 years, which equals about 1/4 of an inch increase in floor height every 100 years.
The scientific paper was eventually published in May 2025 and was well received. Enjoy the following links
