Appendix C - Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment - Peabody Energy

Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment
North Wambo Underground Mine Modification
Some small areas in the south-west of the project area are consistent with the Benjang soil landscape, which
consists of rounded rolling hills with frequent outcrops of sandstone or conglomerate on the summits. The
Benjang soil landscape is characterised by black, yellow and red solodic soils and non-calcic brown soils on
the lower and mid slopes, in addition to brown podzolic soils above rock outcrops (Kovac and Lawrie
1991:91-96). Aboriginal objects may be found on the lower and mid slopes in this area.
The soils along the narrow strip in the north-east of the project area, covering valley flats and levees of
Wollombi Brook and tributaries are consistent with the Wollombi soil landscape. The Wollombi soil
landscape is characterised by alluvial soils, mainly sands and earthy sands (Kovac and Lawrie 1991:425-
427). Artefacts may occur associated with the banks of creeks in these areas dominated by alluvial deposits.
The project area is characterised by duplex soils with clear to sharp horizon boundaries. The A horizon soils
are generally moderately deep, approximately 120 millimetres (mm) up to 600mm deep. The presence of
potential stratified archaeological material is, therefore, possible. Where B Horizon soils are exposed, they
are generally severely eroded and have been affected by water runoff and sheet wash erosion. A horizon
soils can also be redeposited in the lower slope areas on a previously eroded B horizon (Kovac and Lawrie
1991:449). Artefacts may occur in situ within the moderately deep A horizon soils or redeposited atop the
areas of exposed B Horizon.
3.3 Topography and Hydrology
The project area has a generally south-west facing aspect and is situated to the west of Wollombi Brook,
south of North Wambo Creek, with Stony Creek traversing the southern boundary. The project area is
predominantly consistent with the Bulga landscape, which is characterised by undulating rises formed by
smooth slopes and covered by sandstone colluviums. Slopes are up to 10% gradient and local relief is 20 -
40 m. Lengths of slopes are up 200 m with drainage lines at 200-500 m intervals (Kovac and Lawrie
1991:125).
The area adjacent to Stony Creek in the lower part of the immediate project area is consistent with the
Benjang Landscape, which is characterised by rolling hills ranging in elevation from 240 – 440 m which are
generally rounded with frequent outcrops of sandstone or conglomerate on the summits. Slopes are of 10-
25% gradient and local relief is from 80-120 m (Kovac and Lawrie 1991:91-93).
The project area is situated within the Wollombi Brook water catchment, and is drained by a number of first
and second order streams or creek lines.
The project area lies in close proximity to Stony Creek, South Wambo Creek and approximately a kilometre
away from Wollombi Brook, all of which would have been permanent water sources. However, water
availability on the upper slopes, mid slopes and foot slopes is dependent on the first and second order
ephemeral tributaries of these larger waterways (Sniffin, McIlveen et al. 1988).
3.4 Climate
Approximately 18,000 years ago, climatic conditions began to alter which affected the movement and
behaviour of past populations within their environs. During this time, notably at the start of the Holocene
(more than 11,000 years ago), the melting of the ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere and Antarctica
caused the sea levels to rise, with a corresponding increase in rainfall and temperature. The change in
climatic conditions reached its peak about 6,000 years ago (Short 2000-21). Up until 1,500 years ago,
temperatures decreased slightly, stabilising about 1,000 years ago to temperatures similar to those currently
experienced. Consequently, the climate in the locality of the study area for the past 1,000 years would be
much the same as present day, providing a year round habitable environment.
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