Ancient Circular Mounds in Australia Finally Linked to Indigenous Culture

Sunbury: There was a time when people thought there were about 400 ancient circular mounds in Australia. Sadly, many of these were destroyed during European colonization.

But guess what? Researchers have finally cracked the mystery of these large earth rings. They found out that the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people built them for sacred ceremonies.

These rings date back between 590 and 1,400 years. Originally, there were many more, but now only about 100 remain. Each of these rings holds deep meaning for various Aboriginal groups, reflecting their history and resilience.

For Indigenous folks, their connection to the land includes everything—land, water, animals, and even stories. It’s all intertwined.

Scientists admit it’s tough to fully grasp the context of these structures. Not much is known about the culture of the people who built them. But it’s clear they were used for important ceremonies.

The researchers noted that while previous studies hinted at their sacred nature, there’s still a lot to learn about their cultural significance.

To create these mounds, the Aboriginal people carefully cleared the land and arranged rocks around the edges.

The study, published in the Australian Archaeology journal, revealed that the Indigenous people used these mounds for campfires and tool-making.

This discovery sheds light on the rich culture of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people. They’ve passed down a deep understanding of their landscape and its values through generations.

Even if the exact purpose of the Sunbury Rings has faded from memory, their cultural importance remains strong.