Modern Australian
Men's Weekly

.

50 years since the discovery of Mungo Lady

  • Written by Jim Bowler, Professorial Fellow,School of Earth Sciences,(Geology), University of Melbourne

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers should be aware that this article contains the images and names of deceased persons.

It was a discovery that changed the way we think of human habitation in Australia. But 50 years on, the man who made the find believes the story has still to reach a conclusion.

The article is part of our occasional long read series Zoom Out, where authors explore key ideas in science and technology in the broader context of society and humanity.

This month we celebrate an event 50 years ago in western New South Wales that changed the course of Australian history. On July 15, 1968, the discovery of burnt bones on a remote shoreline of an unnamed lake basin began a story, the consequences of which remain sadly unfinished today.

It’s the story of a legend, the discovery of Mungo Lady, the first in the series of steps that led to the creation of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage area.

But it’s a story where the making of a legend has fallen off the national radar leaving a legacy of shame.

Read more: Fifty years ago, at Lake Mungo, the true scale of Aboriginal Australians' epic story was revealed

At a time when we afford so much effort to remember those in Australia’s more recent history, is it not time to honour those who helped tell so much of the ancient history of our land?

A timely discovery

It was just one year after the circuit breaking 1967 referendum. Aboriginal people were being heard.

For me it was the beginning of a journey to explore the geological legacy of climatic change in our ice age landscapes, the ancient dunes, lakes and rivers.

I had recently joined the Australian National University Department of Geography and had chosen dry lake basins as possible rain gauges for ancient wet climates.

I was mapping ancient shorelines and finding strange objects, freshwater shells high above water levels, stone tools lying on erosion surfaces, fallen from above but with no certainty of their original undisturbed sites. People had been there long before me.

I reported my suspicions of ancient shoreline occupation of this now dry basin to archaeological colleagues at the Australian National University. I later named the basin, Lake Mungo, after the pastoral property lease that covered the major part of the basin, Mungo Station.

From geological analysis I was confident the lakeshore dune suggested origins at least 20,000 years ago. This was immediately dismissed by my archaeological colleagues with the warning that: “Bowler, geologists should stick to stones. Leave the archaeology to us.”

That warning never anticipated the finding of bones in lake-shore stones.

Concerned to resolve the puzzle, I was studying freshwater shells deep in the dune core of this ancient lake margin. According to my field notes that was on July 15, 1968, although it was incorrectly reported for a time as July 5.

50 years since the discovery of Mungo Lady Diagrammatic cross-section through the site of suspected hearth, later identified as cremation site of Mungo I, arrowed. A (upper): Sketch from field notes of July 15, 1968. B (lower): Details published in proceedings of the 1968-69 seminars (Aboriginal Man and Environment in Australia, Eds. Derek John Mulvaney & Jack Golson, 1971, ANU Press, 389ps) Jim Bowler, Author provided

If those shells represented a human midden (a refuse heap), it involved occupation much older than accepted at the time. But was it human agency? Birds can carry shells.

Burnt bones uncovered

Returning to camp in the late afternoon, an interesting block of soil carbonate lay exposed on an erosion surface. Nothing special in itself but this contained a substantial concentration of burnt bones.

50 years since the discovery of Mungo Lady View east across southern end of Lake Mungo. The red dot shows the location of Mungo I (Mungo Lady) remains. Jim Bowler, Author provided

Firmly cemented in soil carbonate, this reflected a fire of great antiquity. The organised burning of large mammalian bones, recorded in field notes as a probable hearth, clearly involved human agency. Ironically, this was the first item of archaeological evidence clearly in an undisturbed position.

Duly marked for future location, I reported these findings in an October 1968 archaeological seminar at the ANU. The photographs shown then of burnt bones of such obvious antiquity spoke for themselves.

50 years since the discovery of Mungo Lady An enlargement showing fragments of burnt bones (arrowed) believed then to be part of a human hearth. Jim Bowler, Author provided

The scepticism of my archaeological colleagues diminished. Despite an immediate invitation, it took another six months, until March 1969 to lead a team of soil scientists and archaeologists to the site.

Finding the bones exactly as I had left them eight months earlier, that clear sunny day generated immense excitement. Dr Rhys Jones, breaking away fragments of cemented bones, recognised remnants of a human cranium.

50 years since the discovery of Mungo Lady The March 1969 photograph of the site on the day of archaeological recovery of bones. Courtesy of the late John Mulvaney, Author provided

Suddenly, this was not just the reflection of human activity, we were in the presence of humanity itself. Australian archaeology took a leap forward!

A very modern human from many years ago

Collected into Professor John Mulvaney’s suitcase, the bones were delivered in Canberra to Dr Alan Thorne, the ANU physical anthropologist. His meticulous cranium reconstruction demonstrated the remains of a fully modern young woman.

50 years since the discovery of Mungo Lady Mungo I (Mungo Lady) cranium reconstructed from cremation remains. Courtesy of the late Dr Alan Thorne, Author provided

Dated by later work to 40,000 years ago, that small modern cranium had impacts far beyond its size. It remains today as the world’s earliest evidence of cremation.

It brought to a close the long and, to Indigenous peoples, the offensive practice of cranial profiling, the measure used to test differences between ancient and modern cranial features.

Following its earliest introduction by Thomas Huxley in 1863 – a man known as Charles Darwin’s “bulldog” – the gathering of Aboriginal skeletal remains became a virtual industry.

Grave robbers competed to supply university anatomy departments and museums around the world. Alone, but now announced on the international stage, Mungo Lady’s clearly modern cranium brought it to an end. At 40,000 years ago, she was just like us!

Mixed blessings

To Aboriginal Australians, the removal of bones and the Thorne reconstruction brought mixed blessings.

Firstly, removal of remains without permission evoked memories of more grave robbing. For a time, cross-cultural tensions developed between scientific and Indigenous cultures.

Some nine years later, friendly dialogue led to the signing of an historical accord, a collaborative agreement between the two groups – scientists and traditional owners – each learning from the other. That agreement holds to the present day.

Secondly, Mungo Lady’s voice, declaring her rightful place in this landscape, stirred Aboriginal women into action, especially traditional owners among the three tribal groups – Mutthi Mutthi, Barkindji and Ngiyampaa.

As though by canonisation, she became a saintly figure especially to the central pioneering elder, the late Alice Kelly together with her companions from related tribal groups, Alice Bugmy, Tibby Briar and Elsie Jones.

50 years since the discovery of Mungo Lady The late Alice Kelly (left) and Alice Bugmy (right) at the site if Mungo Lady, 1989. Jim Bowler, Author provided

These four pioneering women stood together, to assert Aboriginal ownership, to challenge the bureaucracy and ensure the legacy of Mungo Lady held pride of place in the history of Australia’s occupation.

Sadly that resolve has been betrayed. The story of her heritage management is no less than disaster.

The remains today

Returned to traditional owners by Alan Thorne in 1992, the skeletal remains of this legendary person lie today in anonymous solitude with those of the later discovery, Mungo Man, out of sight and out of mind in storage at Lake Mungo visitor precinct.

No monument, no place for respectful gratitude, no place to honour. In late 2013, the NSW government, without warning, summarily dismissed all management structures, Central Management, the Elders Council and the Scientific Advisory group. For the last four years, there has been no management in place, no one to care.

A costly new plan of management was delivered by consultancy in early 2014, but there remains, even today, no management group to give it to. The governments of both NSW and federally have turned their backs on this legendary issue.

Traditional owners, scientists and the Australian public have been deprived of that fundamental right to honour the dead to whom our history owes so much.

But the nation owes a special debt to this ancient lady. In death, together with her Aboriginal women pioneers, she has changed the way we see ourselves across the cultural divide.

Time to honour a Lady

So a message for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull: A$100 million appeared no problem for that worthy Monash memorial to our dead in France.

Read more: Mungo Man returns home: there is still much he can teach us about ancient Australia

It’s time now to cut through the tangled web of bureaucratic inertia, to bring the remains of those legendary Mungo figures, Mungo Lady and Mungo Man from storage to a central place of honour.

The nation needs a vision, the inspiration to build the contemplative space where stories of ice age land and ice age people join to illuminate what it means to be Australian.

The Willandra Lakes World Heritage area provides the place. To do less adds additional shame to an already failed heritage trust.

Authors: Jim Bowler, Professorial Fellow,School of Earth Sciences,(Geology), University of Melbourne

Read more http://theconversation.com/time-to-honour-a-historical-legend-50-years-since-the-discovery-of-mungo-lady-97785

Powering Shepparton’s Businesses: Expert Commercial Electrical Services You Can Count On

When it comes to running a successful business, having reliable, compliant, and efficient electrical systems is non-negotiable. From small retail ou...

Maximise Efficiency: Cleaner Solar Panels for Optimal Performance

Solar panels are a smart investment in energy efficiency, sustainability, and long-term savings—especially here in Cairns, where the tropical sun ...

7 Common Air Conditioner Issues in Melbourne – And How to Fix Them

Image by freepik Living in Melbourne, we all know how unpredictable the weather can be. One moment it’s cold and windy, the next it’s a scorchin...

Powering Palm QLD with Reliable Electrical Solutions

Image by pvproductions on Freepik When it comes to finding a trustworthy electrician Palm QLD locals can count on, the team at East Coast Sparkies s...

The Smart Way to Grow Online: SEO Management Sydney Businesses Can Rely On

If you’re a Sydney-based business owner, you already know the digital space is crowded. But with the right strategy, you don’t need to shout the...

What Your Car Says About You: The Personality Behind the Vehicle

You can tell a lot about someone by the car they drive—or at least, that’s what people think. True Blue Mobile Mechanics reckon the car says a l...

The Confidence Curve: Why Boudoir Photography Is the Empowerment Trend You Didn’t Know You Needed

Boudoir photography has been quietly taking over social feeds, Pinterest boards, and personal milestones—and for good reason. It’s not just abou...

Understanding Level 2 Electricians: Why Sydney Residents Need Licenced Experts for Complex Electrical Work

When it comes to electrical work around the home or business, not all electricians are created equal. In Sydney, particularly when you're dealing wi...

Retirement Anchored in Model Boat Building for Waterford’s Doug Unsold

WATERFORD — When Doug Unsold sees his ship come in, it’s usually one he’s crafted with his own hands. The 67-year-old retiree from Waterford ...

The Science Behind Alarm Clocks and Your Circadian Rhythm

Waking up on time isn’t just about setting an alarm—it’s about working with your body, not against it. At the heart of every restful night and...

How to Use Plants to Create a Calming Atmosphere in Your Home

In today’s fast-paced world, cultivating a calm, soothing environment at home has never been more important. Whether you live in a busy urban apar...

How Maths Tutoring Can Help Students Master Maths

Mathematics can be a daunting subject for many students, often causing stress and frustration. However, maths tutoring has proven to be an effective...

Refurbished iPads Are Better Than New Ones (Here's Why)

Image by rawpixel.com on Freepik Apple's refurbished iPad program has quietly become one of the best deals in tech. While everyone obsesses over the ...

Your Guide to Finding the Right GP: What Perth City Doctors Offer Today

Choosing a General Practitioner (GP) is one of the most important health decisions you’ll make. Luckily, Perth’s vibrant CBD now hosts a new ge...

Why Every Mining Operation Needs a Robust Safety Management System

Mining is one of the backbones of the Australian economy, particularly in Western Australia. Back in 2019-20, mining contributed 10.4% of Australia...

Australian Classic Literature Enjoys Resurgence

Welcome back to the good old days of storytelling! As the modern world becomes increasingly more demanding, returning to childhood favourites offers...

How to Choose the Right Lawyers in Sydney for Your Situation

When faced with a legal issue, selecting the right legal representation can make all the difference. Whether you're dealing with a personal injury, ...

Building a Governance Model for Headless Content Management at Scale

Image by pch.vector on Freepik There's never been a better time to implement a headless content management system (CMS) to gain the flexibility and ...