Blue Mountains Aborigines

It is believed that Aborigines have lived in the Blue Mountains area for over 20000 years. Two tribal groups existed within the Region; the Gundungurra people of the upper Mountains, Megalong and Burragorang Valleys and the Dharug people of the lower Mountains and Cumberland Plain. Tribal Councils look after the interests of Aborigines of the area and endeavour to preserve the cultural heritage of their peoples.

There are numerous examples of sacred and occupational sites in the Blue Mountains. The former are places of special significance to Aboriginal religion but usually contain no artefacts. An example is the world famous Three Sisters rock formation which is sacred to the Gundungurra people.

Occupational sites are places which contain evidence that the aborigines were in the area. These sites include rock axe grinding and spear grinding grooves on the surface of sandstone outcrops, art sites particularly in caves, artwork on trees and sites with archaeological relics including tools and weapons. The Blue Mountains and surrounding sandstone plateaus comprise a rich diversity of occupational sites. The oldest site so far found is at a rock shelter at Kings Tableland Wentworth Falls. This location dates Aboriginal prehistoric occupation back to over 20,000 years.

Goombla, a resident of the Blue Mountains, is often seen performing
ad Echo-Point in Katoomba, Blue Mountains.

Fact: Some of the oldest artefacts in Australia were found in the gravel quarries on the foothills of the Blue Mountains, alongside the Nepean River. They were choppers and steep-edged scrapers discarded by people foraging among the gravel channels of the rivers about 50,000 years ago.

LINKS
Blue Mountains Aboriginal community