Projects
The outback in perspective
The primary objective in 2008 will be to continue our exploration
of country surrounding William Creek, incorporating magnificent
red sandhill country and the many drainage channels with their
headwaters in the Davenport, Denison and Kingston Ranges and
which drain into the impressively massive Lake Eyre to the
east.
In 2008 we will continue to develop our interest in interpreting
survival values of desert landscapes through an understanding
of aboriginal stone chippings (lithics). This particular work
is very exciting and we plan to map a large swathe of desert
sanddune country over the next 4 years in the hope that intricate
patterns of traditional movements and key resource locations
(water and food), now lost, will be revealed.
We also need to continue with the cultural heritage mapping
of the Denison Range, approximately 120 km north of William
Creek and to expand our explorations into surrounding areas.
Our work in the Denison Range between 1997-2005 discovered
a large number of significant heritage sites and has revealed
a fascinating record of early Australian pioneering ingenuity
and tenacity. Old copper mines, copper transport wagon roads,
the Overland Telegraph Line (OTL), explorer routes, Afghan
camel transport pads, the original north-south trans-Australia
wagon trail known as the Bullocky Road, stone hut ruins, old
metal-working forges and century-old lime-burning kilns are
just some of the features of this historically significant
and remote area.
The areas described above also contain many spectacular natural
artesian springs which must be seen if you travel into this
remote part of central Australia. We will certainly take you
to examples of these unique springs where possible when they
fall into the area-of-interest on each individual trek.
Additionally in 2008, we hope to continue with our exploration
of the large dunefield west of William Creek and toward Coober
Pedy. This region was new for us in 2007 and presents many
exciting possibilities for cultural and natural discovery.
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