Aboriginal remains found in mass grave still not age tested, as ‘massacre’ theory yet to be ruled out

The remains have not yet been sent for scientific tests to help discover their age, despite a statement to the contrary, The Advertiser can confirm.

No action has been taken by the state government or the Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation (KYAC) to scientifically test ancestral remains found in a mass grave to prove they predate colonisation.

This is despite Elder and Chair of KYAC, Tim Agius saying on Tuesday last week that “specimens” had been sent away for radiocarbon dating with the results a “few months” away.

Mr Agius said the specimens had been sent away by archaeologist Neale Draper, who was commissioned by the Walker Corporation to undertake a cultural heritage management plan.

“There are a number of accusations that are being made, and with regards to it being a massacre site, the archaeologist has sent specimens away for testing … carbon dating testing,” Mr Agius said.

Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation Chairman, Tim Agius said the remains at Riverlea were in line with traditional burials. Picture: George Yankovich

“The results will be another few months. The archaeologist has suggested that it is a site that predates colonisation.

“So, as soon as we get the results back, we will make that known to various community members, and at this stage, we believe that it will be determined as a pre-colonisation campsite.”

The handling of the site at the $3 billion housing project being developed by the Walker Corporation has caused frustration among some traditional owners who believe the grave could be the result of a “massacre”.

Mr Agius said Mr Draper had been working with Kaurna people for “30-years” and that he had “no reason to believe that” he was not the “appropriate person” for the job.

However, following his statement last week, the Advertiser found that no such action has been taken by Mr Draper and that the remains are still untested.

Under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1988, authorisation to damage, disturb, interfere or remove remains, or any Aboriginal heritage can only be given by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.

Protesters gather at Riverlea to call on the government to return the remains to the ground and for an independent archaeological assessment of the remains to determine their origins. Picture: Ben Clark

In a statement, a government spokesperson said no authorisation had been given for testing but that they could be in the future.

“We have been advised that no Aboriginal heritage has been sent for radiocarbon testing at this stage,” a spokesperson said.

“The authorisations sought under the Aboriginal Heritage Act, if granted, could allow for that in the future.”

Mr Agius has since retracted his comments.

A spokesperson for the South Australian Native Title Services told the Advertiser that Mr Agius had “unintentionally” said the remains had been sent away for testing.

“In the press conference on Tuesday (last week), Tim Agius unintentionally said ‘the archaeologist has sent specimens away for carbon dating’ concerning the ancestral remains found at Riverlea,” a spokesperson said.

“What Mr Agius meant, is this is what will happen when an authorisation has been made by the Minister.

“He apologises for any confusion caused by this statement.”

Traditional owners at odds with Mr Agius’ handling of the situation have called for a second independent archaeological assessment of the site to determine if the remains predate colonisation, which would rule out the site being a result of a massacre or other causes post-colonisation.

So far, the remains of at least 29 people have been exhumed and stored in an on-site shipping container.

Mr Draper has been contacted for comment.

The Walker Corporation has directed all media enquiries to KYAC due to the sensitive nature of the situation.