Aboriginal Stone Arrangements
Thursday, November 19, 2009, 03:00 PM
Eddy Hall, Room 104

"An Ancient Australian Aboriginal Stone Arrangement in the 21st Century"

Aboriginal stone arrangements are found throughout Australia and are of spiritual importance to Aboriginal people. Annie Ross, Ph.D., a University of Queensland archaeologist, will discuss Gummingurru, one of Australia’s most well-known Aboriginal stone arrangements in her presentation.

Site of Aboriginal initiation ceremonies

Gummingurru is an Aboriginal ceremonial site located in Queensland, Australia. Before Europeans arrived in the late 19th century, Gummingurru was a place where Aboriginal men would gather for initiation ceremonies. By the early 20th century most of the Aboriginal people who were living near the site were moved to government-run Aboriginal missions on Palm Island and Cherbourg.

(At right: Gummingurru)

Since 2000, Aboriginies have returned to the site and have given the place and its cultural landscape a new meaning. Gummingurru now has contemporary value as a site of learning and reconciliation for all Australians.

------------------------------

Event Contact: Mary Van Buren can be reached at (970) 491-3781

Sponsored by the Department of Anthropology.