Big News from Wurundjeri Country
Deadly mob in Melbourne (the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people) been using next-level tech — LiDAR from the sky — to look after old people’s places on Country.
So what’s LiDAR? It’s like a laser scanner from planes or drones. It shoots light down, maps the ground in 3D, and shows the tiniest shapes in the dirt, even under trees. That means archaeologists and Traditional Owners spotted 28 possible earth circles (yarning/ceremonial rings), 8 of them looking very likely Aboriginal-made.
💡 Why’s this important?
These are ceremonial places where the old people gathered, sang, danced, taught lore.
They’re being rediscovered not by digging or bulldozing, but by looking in a gentle way — LiDAR doesn’t hurt the animals, doesn’t scar the Country, just shines light and listens back.
Protecting and mapping these rings makes sure urban development (houses, roads) don’t destroy our sacred spots.
It reminds us that every mob’s Country, from Wurundjeri down south to Kabi here up north, is full of hidden stories waiting for us to listen proper.
🌏 This isn’t just a Wurundjeri thing. It matters for all mobs across the continent. Bora grounds, earth circles, stone arrangements – our Ancestors left tracks everywhere. LiDAR is one way we can find them again, show that our culture is still alive, and make the system respect and protect them.
This is solid proof that blending old knowledges with new tech can help us look after Country. Cultural science AND digital science working together.
😂 Last thing: anyone got a credit card with a $60,000 limit? Please buy us a LiDAR drone – promise i pay you back one day… maybe.
✊ Keep looking after Country. Our ancestors are still here, sitting in these places, waiting for us to remember.
#aboriginalheritage, #Wurundjeri, #EarthRings, #LiDAR, #CulturalLandscapes, #BoraRings, #Country, #FirstNations, #SelfDetermination, #ProtectOurHeritage, #IndigenousKnowledge, #Archaeology, #RemoteSensing, #CaringForCountry
Ron Jones (Wurundjeri elder)
https://www.researchgate.net/scienti.../Ron-Jones-2188450844
