Boomerang
Object No. 2013/23/15
This boomerang is a significant example of the use of materials by Indigenous Australians. It is unusual in that it was found sometime around the mid-twentieth century under about 10.5 metres of earth during the excavations to extend the sewage outlet, 30.5 metres east of Bunnerong Road, in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs. This suggests it may be of great antiquity and is perhaps one of the oldest surviving boomerangs found in New South Wales. A steel reinforcing collar has been attached to the centre of the boomerang. This object is part of the Royal Australian Historical Society (RAHS) collection which was donated to the Powerhouse Museum in 1981. The Society was formed in 1901 and is the oldest historical society in Australia. As a result many of the objects it collected are of great significance to Australia and to New South Wales. Some are associated with people and families like the Marsdens, Henry Parkes, Mawson, and John Verge. Others, like the convict handcuffs, and the Ben Hall Wanted Poster, are significant relics from Australia's past. The importance of the entire collection and the way in which it was acquired adds to the significance of this object. Geoff Barker, Curatorial, January 2013
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Summary
Object Statement
Boomerang, Ancestor not yet recorded, New South Wales, Australia, 1520-1795
Physical Description
Boomerang, Indigenous Australian, found east of Bunnerong Road, Hillsdale, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, collected circa 1931
DIMENSIONS
Height
160 mm
HISTORY
Notes
This object is part of the Royal Australian Historical Society (RAHS) collection which was donated to the Powerhouse Museum in 1981. It was located inder 35 feet (10.5 metres) of earth east of Bunnerong Road in Hillsdale, Eastern Sydney during excavations to extend and repair the Sydney Sewage system (Southern and Western Suburbs Ocean Outfall Sewer (SWSODS Scheme No. 1) in 1931. The RAHS number is 360. It was donated to the RAHS by Charles Henry Bertie, who retired as Sydney City Librarian in 1939. In 2019, the boomerang was sent to The Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to undergo radiocarbon dating and it was determined to be produced between1520-1795, making it highly likely that production occurred prior to first contact with the British Colonisers in1788.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of the Royal Australian Historical Society, 1981
Acquisition Date
25 February 2013
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