Close to nine months ago Andrew Mansell first extended an invitation for us to go down to Tasmania to look at a site he and other Original people thought was deserving of serious consideration. The photographs he sent of both a rock construction and some rocks nearby were certainly intriguing, but we have learnt from previous experiences photos can be misleading and until on site it is advisable to be somewhat circumspect in forming any conclusions. In what only added to the potential equivocations, was that we had just begun the process of renovating our property and that took a long time, much more than we expected.
Eventually the renovations were complete, and we were ready to inspect but before going down to Tasmania we had one further preparation that was essential. Our reputation in mainstream circles is that of unwelcome intruders that should be ignored no matter what, and because of that consistent game plan we had to be proactive. After checking with Andrew and the Original Elders and custodians he represented I invited Juanita Otto to join us on site. Juanita is fully credited with an archaeology degree and resides in Tasmania. Irrespective of whatever our findings are we agreed to work separately in compiling our reports, which means her work is not tainted or influenced by our research and is completely independent and therefore, is deserving of consideration.
Principal Objectives
Granted before leaving all we had were photographs and conversations via Zoom but even so there were some major areas of research that stood out. Being a rock arrangement that was only accessible at low tide, it could be that what was constructed is merely an unusual rock fish trap. To determine whether that is or is not the case we did need to inspect and compare other low-tide fish traps. A rough estimate of the number of rocks that make up the three sides of this horseshoe like arrangement is mandatory. So too is the need to determine where the cardinal points are, beginning with north, and if these four directions had any influence on the positioning of these rocks.
Once these general points are resolved we did then intend to address the issues raised in relation to the photographs of the many smaller rocks found nearby. In particular, we did need to consider whether the many cut lines, often extremely straight, are a natural phenomenon or due to the actions of human hands, and if so, what types of tools are capable of making these markings. There did seem to be fairly strong circumstantial evidence that some of the markings were beyond the capacity of any stick, stone and bone toolkit. But until on site, all the photographs do is suggest.
The overriding ‘elephant in the room’ relates to the dating. If it is indeed a fish trap, then to be placed on the low tide mark means this happened since Tasmania was separated from the mainland due to rising sea levels around 12,000 years ago. Which of itself is neither remarkable nor of special interest, however, if this is indeed some form of astronomical device that date of inundation takes on a new agenda. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever to create such a structure so it is submerged 90% of the time, where it would be subjected to some of the most inclement and turbulent conditions anywhere on the planet. There are times when the waves in the Bass Strait are tens of meters in height, and there is nowhere else on the planet where any agreed astronomical site has been built so close to the shoreline.
If it is an actual astronomical construction, it has to be at least 12,000 years old which of itself pre-dates Stonehenge and with the possible exception of Wurdi Youang (Victoria), it would be the oldest such site yet found anywhere. And this is where the whole exercise gets incredibly contradictory as mainstream archaeology has gone to great lengths to marginalise and eradicate the Tasmanian Original people in claiming that not only do they no longer exist, but that they were the most primitive and backward Indigenous people on the planet. When I attended an archaeological lecture at Armidale University, I was assured that their unworthiness was clearly evident through three facts. That they lost the skill to make fire, that they no longer caught fish, and over the last four thousand years they also had the least numerous toolkits in Australia.
What was lost in translation was that in deliberately abandoning the art of making fire they became totally reliant upon good will when going to another tribe to rekindle their paperbark and coal firesticks. That being the only reality it becomes highly unlikely that inter-tribal warfare would come to pass as the day will inevitably come when the fire carried goes out and the need to share the fire of another tribe is paramount. However, if recently killing or harming their neighbours the firestick will remain flameless. Such a technological sacrifice creates a more peaceful and cooperative state of affairs. However, it has been brought to my attention that this paragraph addresses an omission that never took place. Originally it was my intention to scrap what I had written and replace it with the truth in that the Original did carry firesticks alight, but they never lost the art of fire-making either through the use of flint or rubbing two sticks together. It has been relayed to me via our primary contact, Fiona, that the Elders would be less than impressed if that misunderstanding was not dealt with. My decision to not discard this error was simply due to so much of the Original history of Tasmania is either mistaken or deliberately concealed, and the so-called issue of losing the art of making fire was a seminal part of this selective package, and we believe leaving in the error and then acknowledging it as such highlights how so much of the past is lost or hidden.
What was not challenged was the fact that the Tasmanian Aboriginal tribes, in particular the women, became highly proficient in hunting seals. Seals provide much more meat than any fish, and seal fat is a fantastic insulator against the cold, and requires only one tool, a club called a Waddie, to hunt with. Two of these deletions are intelligent adaptations in coping with cold inclement weather and successfully hunting the most dominant food source.
On Site Somewhere on the Coast of Tasmania
At this early stage of proceedings, it has been decided to only supply in the most obscure and broadest terms the actual location of this site. The reason being that the huge collection of marked and split rocks numbers in the hundreds is unprotected and open to the public. So many of the sacred rocks we have been given over the years were innocently found by members of the public strolling through the bush or on the beach. With no mainstream book or expert acknowledging their existence, they were picked up simply because they looked so out of place and unusual. Many of these rocks were shown to so-called experts who were adamant they were not made by Original Australian people. Because of this ever-present background, to give a precise location almost guarantees some rocks will be taken away.
As this is merely a preliminary investigation the measurements and estimates are close to the mark and sufficient at this stage of proceedings. The longest western side of this stone arrangement is twenty-four metres and contains approximately ninety-two large black igneous rocks, while the curved front section has a count of one-hundred-and-fifteen rocks measuring seventeen metres. The eastern side of one-hundred-thirteen rocks is clearly the worse for wear and impact petering out at seventeen metres, but there is a scattered spread of the same black rocks in the immediate vicinity. What needs to be factored into any consideration of determining the actual length is there are no other rocks of this size or colour anywhere along the shoreline. However, another ten metres out into the ocean there is a stand of similarly coloured rocks, and it seems reasonable to assume that this outcrop was the original source for the present horseshoe arrangement of rocks.
At no stage before, during or after did anyone notice any sized fish swimming within. If, by any chance, some fish were there, it would be very easy to escape simply through swimming out at the end of either side as both ends are of a lower height than those placed in front curve. Not only is the front seventeen metre section the highest point, it is also the thickest measuring up to 4.6 metres. Some of these rocks will tip the scales at over one-hundred kilograms and that weight coupled with a very flat shape would explain why the majority of this structure is still intact and in its original position. Moving rocks of this considerable weight is a huge feat irrespective of where they were sourced.
As to what purpose this structure served when Colin, Juanita’s partner, stood in the centre of this construction and pointed his compass north it became obvious how I should respond. Knowing that the front curve measured seventeen metres I stationed myself at the half-way point of eight-and-a-half metres, and where I stood was exactly where the compass pointed towards.
In what also has no relation to any type of fish-trap were three areas nearby where the same large very flat stones were placed. The largest section is less than five metres from the main stone arrangement and is a smaller collection of ten level rocks, the other two are smaller in number and size, one was a group of with three flat rocks clustered together and the other was just two flat rocks. Just as it was with main stone semi-circle these rocks were clearly transported to these three locations, and because of their proximity to this central arrangement it seems reasonable to assume they all serve the same pursuit. The only option that can be readily dismissed is the trapping of any form of food or fish. With the highest point being at the beginning and lowest locality at the back end, this was built for higher ideals. Being exactly aligned to the north, the first issue relates to how this was known and determined. Equally if it does serve more esoteric imperatives, it is obligatory that this timeline begins at a date of no less than 12,000 years ago. Knowing that Wurdi Youang, which is a few hundred kilometres north, is agreed to be the oldest astronomical site on the planet, and as it is also a semi-circle arrangement of rocks, it doesn’t seem a big step into the unknown to suggest that this construction serves the same off-world function/inspiration.
While all around for hundreds of metres in every direction are millions of rocks that are much, much smaller and of every make, geology and shape imaginable. Never before have I, or anyone else present, seen such a diversity of rocks. It all seems so unnatural.
The Rock Garden
The contrast between the larger darker rocks restricted to one major construction and three smaller accompanying sites where all rocks weigh kilograms, juxtaposed against a backdrop of millions of rocks all weighing much less than the lightest black rock, to my knowledge has no geological precedent. But it isn’t this massive variation in size and geology that was so puzzling, but it was what came next when looking a little closer that really stood out.
I knew from the photographs sent that there were some rocks that had been cut, but I never expected anything like the quantity on display, it numbered in the hundreds. There are so many rocks bearing lines lacking in any fine pecking, chipping or percussion bulbs, many of the cut lines are so straight and of the same width, depth and consistency in the pressure applied. To even suggest that they are the result of any stick, stone or bone tool is just not possible. Some of these rocks have been artificially shaped, but whatever the technique applied, it was not through any form of rock-on-rock contact.
What was unexpected and not amongst any of the photos sent, was the proliferation of rocks split in half. Once again there is no evidence of chipping or percussion bulbs and in each of the dozens of rocks examined, the resulting surface is perfectly flat and never varies off a 180-degree alignment. It wasn’t so much a surprise to see such examples of a more advanced technology, as all the sacred rocks we are acting as custodians of exhibit similar technology, but what was unprecedented was the fact there were hundreds of rocks like this, and all were in one location. That tally, as far as we know, has no parallel anywhere. Such was the quantity of rocks that sat outside the capacity of any stick, stone and bone toolkit, it got to the stage where I chose to stop looking, there were just too many to continue bending down or photograph.
However, when Andrew Mansell came up to me with a rock in hand, I had no course of action available except to look once again. The rectangular rock he found was very much like an older somewhat frayed version of Ros’ Rock 1. It was the first example at this site of a rock with what we believe to be an artificial chert coat with lines and patterns cut into it. It immediately reminded me of the commentary supplied by the Smithsonian Institute when sighting photographs of Ros’ Rock 1, they claimed it to be unlike any other rock yet found on the planet. Not anymore. On two of the sides some form of melted rock was attached then marked. There are both straight lines on both sides but what stands apart is the top section of this rock which has some sort of filagree patterning. This is unique and has no parallel in the collection we are custodians of or elsewhere in this country. If it is indeed a chert overlay, bearing in mind chert rocks are part of the geological package of the immediate surrounds, that rock can only be melted once a temperature of 3,000 degrees Celsius is created. Even if we are mistaken in our claim that the top veneer is chert, it clearly is a coat of an entirely different rock and coloration. The undeniable truth that applies to every type of open fire is that it will never generate enough heat to melt any rock. The undeniable truth coming out of, and on top of this rock, is that such is the intensity of heat needed it exceeds the upper limits of any open fire. This rock shows undeniable evidence of the highest level of technology, and it was found in Tasmania.
What all these anomalies emphasise is that this special site is way past just being a common fish trap, nothing less than incredible sacred business is definitely on the agenda. One of our Original assistants on the day, Fiona’s son Charlie, kept picking up so many more marked rocks wherever he walked, and he did make an interesting comment when suggesting that the three sets of flat black rocks were created as a place to sit and conduct secret business. From our perspective that is the first step in the right direction, but there was still one loose end to resolve before making a final judgment. What if, for whatever reason, this exceptionally elaborate and ineffective procession of rocks was the norm when making fish traps for this area alone? What we still needed to do is to go elsewhere, but still close by, and examine and compare to other known rock fish traps.
Compare and Contrast
The next site we were taken to did feature what was clearly a rock fish trap. It too was surrounded by many rocks, but no less than 99% of what lay on the beach was identical geology, fine grained and grey in colour. What we saw was an ascending series of ten rock walls, each a little higher than those closer to the water’s edge. The largest and highest wall was quite impressive in containing a little over one-thousand grey rocks. Many of the rocks were fractured but none were straight, and all these lines seemed to be the natural outcome caused by impact and weathering.
Other simpler rock fish traps sighted elsewhere are often just a series of rocks in a line leading into shallow water affording the fish no way to return to deeper water. What is clear and present in all functioning fish traps is no avenue to escape. The recurring truth in our comparisons is that this circular horseshoe pattern is utterly inefficient in trapping any aquatic lifeform, whereas all other fish traps can and did. Therefore, whatever this construction was made for is debatable, but what can be struck off the list is anything associated with catching fish.
How, What and Why?
This section should be read and considered separately, we have discussed what the arrangement isn’t and equally, what types of technology could not be responsible for the markings, splitting and an artificial rock coat attached. But as to what purpose is served, the technology used and why this was done, nothing is definite, but there are possibilities and precedents that do need to be considered.
If an astronomical construction, a perfect alignment facing north is consistent, if tracking the path of any celestial object a circular curved path is compulsory and knowing that a very similar stone arrangement not far away has been endorsed as the oldest astronomical site anywhere, claiming that this site by the sea is another astronomical site seems the most logical explanation. When it comes to determining what stick, stone or bones implement can determine the position of north, the answer is incontestable-none. Every compass or anything even more sophisticated must have a metal component.
The same apparent technological vacuum exists when addressing the requirements needed to mark, shape and coat some of surrounding rocks. What is essential is nothing less than a very hard and fine metal blade. Beyond a metallic blade something further up the technological ladder like sound or laser are other candidates.
In determining what took place at this site there are two hurdles that have to be discarded simply because both Tasmanian stereotypes are not only wrong but pernicious. When I shared my experiences in the lecture room of an academic explaining in some detail why the Tasmanian Original people were the most backward and intellectually deficient people on this planet, Juanita joined in by sharing the same content where her lecturer from a different university made the same false ignorant observations supplying as proof the identical reasons I also heard. Clearly such condemnations are not restricted to one university but were being peddled throughout the country.
Even more offensive was the supporting comment Fiona offered when she was a student at a Tasmanian school. Her teacher was giving a history lesson based around the commonly held belief that Truganini was the last Original Tasmanian woman and when she died that finalised the demise of the entire Tasmanian Original race. If so, were did that supposed truth place her? She knew, or at least thought she knew, she was Original, but this teacher was basically saying she was wrong as she is not Original. That academic had tried to steal her identity and sense of place and worth. Nothing has changed since, to this day a large majority of non-Original Australians still believe that Truganini’s death signalled the final extinction of all the Tasmanian Original tribes.
These two examples epitomise the current state of Tasmanian Original history which can be summed up as ‘dumb and dumber’ and then gone forever. All these lies are masquerading as unchallengeable truths. Fortunately, this stone arrangement and the accompanying marked, shaped, split and coated rocks are all ancient truths. What we have here on the ground beside the ocean is well beyond the capacity of any sticks, stones or bones, it has to be either metal, sound or laser. What is also present and accounted for is a huge stone testimony devoted to ‘as on top’ business, and this was also a place where heat was measured using four figures. We did not retrieve these truths from any textbook or lecturer, but from rocks that never lie and will only tell the truth. My Elder, Karno Walker, told me some time ago that spirituality, culture, mysticism, magic, the First Language and all the higher-level pursuits began first in Australia, and he nominated not the north but the south as the location where these insights originated then spread. In being even more geographically specific, he named Tasmania as the global focal point. That belief and Tasmanian location has been mentioned by other Elders, but when it comes to the academics and textbooks, their truths have been lost in translation. The time has come to listen to the keepers of the Old Ways and the ancient messages left in the rocks, and there is more to come.
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