Archaeologists dig up controversy at historic North Parramatta site

THE State Government’s development arm has defended an archaeological dig at an historic site in North Parramatta after it was labelled “disrespectful to Aborigines”.

Archaeology worker Newton Carriage working at the North Parramatta Heritage Precinct.

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AN archaeological dig at the North Parramatta Heritage Precinct is digging up more than Aboriginal finds, with the North Parramatta Residents Action Group (NPRAG) and Parramatta Female Factory Friends (PFFF) labelling the dig disrespectful to Aborigines.

Archaeologists have been digging in North Parramatta, the site of the convict-era Female Factory, as part of a development project by UrbanGrowth NSW.

The site also included a mental asylum and an orphanage.

Exterior of Parramatta Female Factory, one of Australia’s earliest women-only convict sites.

“Archaeological digs this week have uncovered what the community have long known — that the Heritage Precinct in North Parramatta is a precinct worthy of World Heritage listing for its unique indigenous and colonial significance,” PFFF president June Bullivant said.

NPRAG president Suzette Meade said the area was “under threat from imminent vandalism by State Government development arm UrbanGrowth NSW”.

Some of the artefacts found at the convict-era site.

“These government lands in North Parramatta have shaped our nation and cradled our most damaged and destitute with over 200 years of mental health care by institutionalisation and, often sadly, with incarceration at Parramatta Gaol. Tragedy, courage, grief, creativity and triumph over adversity are all abundant here.”

But according to UrbanGrowth NSW — the agency in charge of plans which will see nearly 3000 apartments go up around the heritage precinct — Australia’s indigenous and colonial history is being further explored through the archaeological investigations.

They have hit back at NPRAG claims, with a spokesman saying, “local Aboriginal representatives, including those with links to the land, are engaged in the archeology digs. The program is providing employment to 14 indigenous organisations as part of our commitment to provide Aboriginal employment opportunities”.

The factory was the destination for many of the convict women sent as prisoners to the colony of NSW.

UGNSW project leader Donna Savage said indigenous teams had found toolmaking flints on the main oval which confirmed Aboriginal activity in the area.

All finds are being documented and reported to the NSW Heritage Council and the Office of Environment and Heritage.

Operations manager/archaeologist David Nutley, Geoff Lee, Project Assistant director Drago Garbov at the dig in North Parramatta heritage precinct.

FINDS:

■ glass marbles, handmade game counters and miniature porcelain dolls dating back to the early 1900s

■ a clay tobacco pipe from about 1847-1870

■ a child’s bone toothbrush from pre-1940

■ a lined-writing slate and slate pencils dated about 1868-1943

■ Investigations will continue until late 2017.