<This image is derived from a Teaching Kit image set provided to the author of this website by the Wathaurong Coop.>
Aboriginal people often sheltered in huts called mia-miyas that were constructed from timber and bark.
They also created stone structures, the ruined remains of which are still present in some places. These were found in places of permanent settlement (generally where abundant food resources were present - such as at Lake Condah were extensive fish and eel traps were also built).
These homes were built with low circular (sometimes rectangular). In some cases the walls were used to support beams made of branches that were then roofed with bark and other materials. In other cases the walls were used to shelter from prevailing winds, but were not roofed. Gaps between the stones may have been filled with turf.
Stone shelters were also built in exposed places as was described by Peter Manifold, a settler of the Lake Purumbete area (Djargurd Wurrung country):
"The stone-circles are made by the natives, and are always found in exposed situations where timber is difficult to obtain. The natives there formed these wind-breaks of stones, placed on edge in a circular form, some of them very perfect, leaving the opening generally toward the east, the prevailing winds coming from the north-west and south-west. These circles are common on the plains or eastern part of this property, where branches of trees could not be procured for giving shelter. When we first occupied this country, it was quite common for the natives to use these circles as camping places, always having fires in the centre. The fires were very small, as they had frequently to carry the wood long distances. The circles are generally formed of large stones set on their edges, and embedded in the ground close together, without any other stones on top, thus forming good protection from the wind as they lay around the fire. The stones are common basalt, there being no other in the district. The situation selected was generally where water was convenient, or in some favourable place for game. The circles were about the size of the ordinary mia-mys, that is from ten to twenty feet in diameter."
(cited in Chauncy 1878: 235)
Like dwelling mounds, stone dwelling sites usually occur near rivers, lakes or swamps but occasionally some distance from water. They occur only where rock suitable for construction is readily available (usually basalt in the areas covered by this website). Stone dwellings were constructed in places where abundant food resources were so readily available that people were able to seasonally gather in large numbers for extended periods, for example at Lake Condah where extensive networks of stone fish and eel traps were also constructed.
As noted above many such structures were present in the Lake Purumbete area. It is likely that they are present elsewhere also. The Aboriginal Affairs Victoria cultural heritage database contains one record only near the south-west shore of Lake Corangamite.
Check whether the structure has the typical characteristics of an Aboriginal stone dwelling site. If it does, record its location and write a brief description of its condition. Note whether it is under threat of disturbance.
Please help to preserve Aboriginal stone dwelling sites, and assist with research into Aboriginal history and culture by reporting suspected sites to Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.
Aboriginal Affairs Victoria records the location, dimensions, and condition of such sites so that we will have a permanent record of this important part of the heritage of all Australians. Management works, such as the eradication of rabbits and erosion control, may be need to be carefully undertaken so that Aboriginal mounds can be preserved for future generations.
Aboriginal dwelling sites are particularly important because they are likely to reveal important information about the way Aboriginal people lived. Soil layers around such sites may contain artifacts and other archaeologically important evidence.
Any rearrangement or destruction of rocks will damage or eliminate stone dwelling sites. Rock removal and rock crushing is now being undertaken to clear large areas of agricultural land. Such activity will devastate stone dwelling sites in present. If you are undertaking such work, please take care to carefully inspect the area and avoid disturbing places that may be dwelling sites. This does not mean that rock removal/crushing need necessarily be stopped in the rest of a paddock. However, it would be a good idea to have the area inspected before proceeding to ensure that all stone dwellings and other sites are identified.
All Aboriginal cultural places and Aboriginal artifacts in Victoria are protected by law. It is illegal to disturb or destroy an Aboriginal place. Artifacts should not be removed from sites.
In general, the presence of an Aboriginal dwelling stone circle on private land will not affect ownership, or stop pre-existing land uses from continuing.
The presence of an Aboriginal dwelling stone circle may indicate that artifacts or other sites of Aboriginal Cultural heritage significance is present.
Please preserve Aboriginal cultural heritage sites by conducting environmental, agricultural and other activities in a manner that does not impact on them. Such areas are likely to cover a very small area relative to the size of most properties and avoiding disturbance should therefore have little effect on productivity. The presence of such a place will greatly enhance the value of an appropriately implemented environmental project and is likely to be assist applicants seeking funds for environmental projects.
Please help to preserve Aboriginal artifacts cultural heritage sites by reporting their presence to Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.
Chauncy, P (1878)
Appendix A: notes and anecdotes of the Aborigines of Australia
In The Aborigines of Victoria: With notes relating to the habits of natives of other parts of Australia and Tasmania. Vol 2: 221-284.John Ferres, Government Printer, Melbourne