Experiences on the voyage of the First Fleet

NSW sites of archaeological evidence of the oldest living continuous Cultures in the world

Overview

New South Wales contains important archaeological sites showing Aboriginal people belong to the oldest living continuous cultures in the world. These sites demonstrate continuous Aboriginal culture, connection to Country, and traditions that continue today:

Lake Mungo provides evidence of burial rituals over 40,000 years ago, including Mungo Man and Mungo Lady.
The Brewarrina Fish Traps demonstrate sophisticated engineering and sustainable food systems thousands of years old.
Sydney Basin rock engravings show cultural storytelling and spiritual beliefs
Cuddie Springs provides evidence of long-term occupation and tool use.
Burragurra (Devil's Rock), Yengo National Park — contains extensive rock engravings and is considered culturally and spiritually important to Aboriginal communities.

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Lake Mungo (Willandra Lakes Region)

Location: Western NSW
Age: Up to 42,000 years old

Traditional Custodians: Paakantji (Barkindji), Mutthi Mutthi and Ngiyampaa peoples

Lake Mungo is one of the most significant archaeological sites in Australia. It is part of the Willandra Lakes World Heritage Area.

Evidence found includes:

Mungo Man — one of the oldest human remains in Australia
Mungo Lady — the oldest known cremation in the world
Stone tools
Hearths and campfire remains
Footprints preserved in ancient lake beds

This evidence shows:

Complex spiritual beliefs (burial rituals)
Long-term occupation
Sophisticated cultural practices

Mungo Lady ~ Mungo Lady found | Australia’s Defining Moments Digital Classroom | National Museum of Australia

Lake Mungo demonstrates Aboriginal people living in NSW tens of thousands of years ago — and their descendants continue today.

Brewarrina Fish Traps (Baiame's Ngunnhu)

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Location: Brewarrina, Northern NSW
Age: Up to 40,000 years old

Traditional Custodians: Ngemba (primary custodians), Murrawarri, Ualarai (Yuwaalaraay), Gamilaraay and Paakantji (Barkindji) peoples

The Brewarrina Fish Traps are one of the oldest human-made structures in the world still in use.

Evidence includes:

Stone weirs arranged across the Barwon River
Complex engineering design
Fish harvesting systems used sustainably

This shows:

Advanced environmental knowledge
Sustainable food systems
Social organisation and cooperation

Local Aboriginal communities still recognise and care for this site today, showing cultural continuity.

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Sydney Basin rock engravings (Gadigal and surrounding peoples)

Many of these sites are located near Gadigal and Dharug Country, where Aboriginal culture continues today.

A good source for further reading and images: Aboriginal Rock Art around Sydney | Hiking the World

Bantry Bay (Frenchs Forest) Aboriginal Rock Art around Sydney | Hiking the World

Location: Sydney region (Ku-ring-gai Chase, Royal National Park, etc)
Age: Thousands of years old

Traditional Custodians: Gadigal (Sydney Harbour area, Dharug (Western Sydney and north-west), Guringai (Northern Sydney / Ku-ring-gai area), Bidjigal (Parramatta / Georges River area) and Dharawal (Southern Sydney / Illawarra region)

These engravings include:

Animals (kangaroos, fish, whales)
Human figures
Spiritual symbols

They demonstrate:

Cultural storytelling
Spiritual beliefs
Connection to Country

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Cuddie Springs (near Brewarrina)

Location: Near Brewarrina, NSW
Age: Up to 30,000–40,000 years old

Traditional Custodians: Ngemba (primary custodians), Murrawarri, Gamilaraay and Ualarai (Yuwaalaraay) peoples

Archaeologists found:

Stone tools
Hearths
Animal bones
Evidence of hunting and food preparation

This suggests:

Long-term occupation
Adaptation to environmental change
Sophisticated survival knowledge

Further information: Cuddie Springs Archaeological Site, New South Wales - The Australian Museum

Cuddle Springs ~ Courtesy Cuddie Springs Archaeological Site, New South Wales - The Australian Museum

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Burragurra (Devil's Rock), Yengo National Park — NSW

Location: Yengo National Park, north-west of Sydney
Age: Thousands of years old

Traditional Custodians: Dharug, Darkinjung and Gundungurra peoples

Burragurra, also known as Devil’s Rock, is one of the most significant Aboriginal archaeological and ceremonial sites in south-eastern Australia. The site contains extensive rock engravings and is considered culturally and spiritually important to Aboriginal communities.

Archaeological Evidence at Burragurra

Researchers have identified:

Over 100 rock engraving motifs
Depictions of ancestral beings
Emu tracks and animals
Human figures (anthropomorphs)
Ceremonial footprints
Kangaroo hunting scenes

These engravings were deliberately arranged in a planned composition, linking ancestral beings and ceremonial pathways across the rock surface.

IMAGE: Stencils of hands, boomerangs and a shield, Yengo National Park - Courtesy Central Coast Rock Art Traces of the Aboriginal pre-history of the Gosford-Wyong region, by Anthony Dunk.