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22 March, 2017 13:17
Queensland Urban Utilities has returned centuries’ old Aboriginal artefacts, discovered during an archaeological dig in Bromelton, to the traditional owners.
Nearly 5000 hunting tools, including barbs and points up to 4000 years old, were found during the planning phase for a new 7km water pipeline between Beaudesert and the Bromelton State Development Area (SDA) last year.
Queensland Urban Utilities spokesperson, Michelle Cull, said it was their biggest coordinated Indigenous artefact discovery to date.
“The team recovered more artefacts in Bromelton than we have at any of our other projects over the past six years,” she said.
“We’re very excited to be handing this significant find back to the traditional owners.”
For any new infrastructure work, Queensland Urban Utilities has a duty of care under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 to take all reasonable and practical measures to ensure the work doesn’t damage or harm anything of cultural significance.
Queensland Urban Utilities engaged Turnstone Archaeology and a group of traditional owners to carry out the survey, identify historically important sites and recover the artefacts.
Local elder, Nanette Currie, said she was surprised by the number and variety of tools found.
“These are not just rocks; there’s a story connected to every one of them,” she said.
“It’s very important to preserve our people’s history and to share it with our young people and the community.”
Each artefact has been documented in a report which has also been given to the traditional owners.
The $6.5 million trunk water main, which will connect the Beaudesert Water Treatment Plant to the Bromelton SDA, is expected to be completed by May 2017.