Detailed Indigenous Site Report on Gubur Dhaura Ochre Quarry Analysis

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the Gubur Dhaura Ochre Quarry, a significant indigenous site located in the Gungahlin district of Australia. The report begins with an overview of the site, including its geographical features such as the Red Hill ridgeline and the surrounding mountain ranges. It then delves into the meaning of the name 'Gubur Dhaura' in the Ngunnawal language, translating to 'red ochre ground,' and highlights key features like the hilltop and mine site. The rationale for site selection emphasizes its strong association with the Aboriginal people and its reflection of Australian cultural history. The report further explores the traditional and contemporary significance of the site to the Aboriginal people, discussing the ochre mining activities and the presence of artifacts. It also examines the site's relation to broader issues of indigenous history and identity, including the impact of European settlements. The report concludes with a list of references used in the research.

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INDIGENOUS SITE REPORT ON GUBUR DHAURA OCHRE QUARRY
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Indigenous Site Report on Gubur Dhaura Ochre Quarry
Gubur Dhaura is a red ochre ground or site that is located in Gungahlin district in
Australia. This site covers an area of about six hectares and is surrounded by various mountain
ranges in the Gungahlin basin. This site sits on a ridgeline identified by a Red Hill which is in a
north-south direction and covering about 1.4 km and 30 above the surrounding areas (Gubur
Dhaura - Canberra Tracks 2018).
(Australian Capital Territory 2011)
Figure 1 Map of Gubur Dhaura Ochre Quarry

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Language Group and Place Name Meaning
The word Gubur Dhaura is a word from Ngunnawal language of the Ngunnawal people
which can be translated to ‘red ochre ground’ in English (Canberra CityNews 2018). Some of the
minerals or the geological feature in the site include the gold, iron ore and kaolin also known as
the pipe clay.
Important Features in the Site
Some of the important points or places in the site include the, entrance, the hill top and the
mine site, (Geocaching 2018).
i) The Hill Top

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Some of the beautiful/important places include the hill top which provides a view Gungahlin
in all directions. The hill top was always used by the aboriginal people as their camping site as
they moved through the vast place for their cultural activities or ceremonies. The hill top is
composed of a lot of rocks which were normally ground for use during the cultural ceremonies
both as paint and artwork by the aboriginal people. Also, there has been indications that stone
tools were made at this point of the site
Figure 2 The Hill Top (Pinterest 2018)
ii) The Mine Site
Another important point in the site is the mine site which displays a view of various artefacts
and coloured rocks which are actually the iron ores. The connection between the culture of the
aboriginal people and the European occupation and settlements of the place is portrayed by this

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point of the site. Artefacts such as such as the ancient plough discs which were used for digging
are displayed as seen in the picture.
Figure 3 The Mine Site (Pinterest 2018)
Rationale for Site Selection
The main reason for choosing this site for investigation is that it strongly associated with
a special group of people, who are the Aboriginal people of Canberra and its reflection of the
cultural phase of both local and the national history of Australia at large. Also, Gubur Dhaura
provides an opportunity for understanding the evolution process of natural landscapes such as the
geological features like the iron stones and the landform transformations (Australian Capital
Territory 2011).
Also, a visit to the site for the purpose of investigation not only provides an opportunity
to attainment of educational knowledge but also provides a recreation opportunity as there is a

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lot of joy in viewing of beautiful scenery of red-yellow soils including the iron stones, artefacts
as well as the interaction with the local people around the site. This provides a sense of
belonging as one gets to view and understand the history of the community.
Traditional and Contemporary Significance to Aboriginal People
The rich heritage importance of Gubur Dhaura can be looked at in terms of its benefits to both
the indigenous Aboriginal people and the European settlers who are believed to have settled
there about twenty thousand years ago. It is believed that the main reason for inhabitance of
these groups to this place is geological features of Gubur Dhaura is which includes the
availability large amounts of ochre and kaolin. The availability of the minerals consequently
presented them with an opportunity for various resource acquisition through mining activities
(Coffey Environments Pty Ltd. 2010).
There is sufficient archaeological evidence that the Aboriginal people carried out mining
activities at this place. The mining activities of the ochre and kaolin formed part and parcel of
their culture and traditions and the availability of the minerals in large amounts greatly enhanced
these cultural practices and traditions among the people. Also, the various artefacts such as the
plough discs provides evidence that large scale extraction and processing of ochre had been
taking place at this site. Notably, there features can only be seen at this place and nowhere else in
the Gungahlin region, therefore this place remains to be very important to the aboriginal people.
This place also plays an important role in reminding the Aboriginal people of their ancient times
such as their past ways of life and their cultural practices. This site contains various features that
provide physical portrayal of their past ways of life and settlement patterns such as the camp

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sites, ochre processing and the lithic technologies presented by the availability of stone tools in
the site (Chirp Internet 2018).
How the Place Relates To Broader Issues of Indigenous History and Identity
It is also important to note that there was some colonial European settlements in
Gungahlin. This can indicated by the availability of availability of the Red Hill ridgeline and the
traces of past excavations which could have been for the search of mineral ores of iron, gold and
even the extraction of pipe clay which was mainly used by the colonials for the manufacture of
Canberra brickworks and chimney whitewash. Also, the construction of Well stations road and
the pattern of land divisions and changes in land forms along the ridgeline provides evidence of
the presence of European settlements among the Aboriginal people in the place and prospecting
and extraction of minerals (ACT Heritage Council 2002).

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References
ACT Heritage Council. 2002, Australian Capital Territory, Proposed entry into an inter
heritage places register for: Gungaderra Homestead Precinct. Lyneham. ACT.
Australian Capital Territory 2011, Heritage (Decision about Registration for Gubur Dhaura -
Aboriginal Ochre Quarry and Historic Mining Area)’.Available from:
https://www.environment.act.gov.au/data/assets/pdf_file/0010/271558/2801.pdf
Canberra CityNews. 2018, Reconciliation tree planting at Gungahlin’s Gubur Dhaura |
Canberra CityNews. Available from: http://citynews.com.au/2015/reconciliation-tree-planting-
at-gungahlins-gubur-dhaura/.
Chirp Internet. 2018, Rediscovering Ginninderra: Gubur Dhaura (Aboriginal Ochre Quarry and
Historic Mining Area) | Hall School Museum and Heritage Centre. Available from:
http://museum.hall.act.au/display/1939/place/2719/gubur-dhaura-aboriginal-ochre-quarry-
historic.html..
Coffey Environments Pty Ltd. 2010, Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessment, Gubur
Dhaura (Red Hill) Area, Franklin Estate Development. Gungahlin, ACT. Report prepared for
the Land Development Agency.
Geocaching. 2018, GC61V88 Gubur Dhaura - Red Ochre Ground (Multi-cache) in Australian
Capital Territory, Australia created by StrangeTrousers. Available at:

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https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC61V88_gubur-dhaura-red-ochre-ground?
guid=fe425b40-9538-4e8e-8e1e-e6339439b7cc.
Gubur Dhaura - Canberra Tracks. 2018, Gubur Dhaura - Canberra Tracks. Available from:
http://www.canberratracks.act.gov.au/heritage-trails/track-5-gungahlin/gubur-dhaura.
Pinterest. 2018, 29 best Ngunnawal country images on Pinterest | Management, Aboriginal
history and Babies. Available from: https://www.pinterest.com/vivianharris45/ngunnawal-
country/.