Appendix C - Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment - Peabody Energy

Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment
North Wambo Underground Mine Modification
retouch). Archaeological surveys generally cover wider areas than excavations and can provide important
information on the spatial distribution of sites. The detection of sites during survey can be influenced by the
amount of disturbance or erosion and therefore sensitivity mapping is sometimes also required to interpret
survey results. The local Aboriginal heritage context also provides a framework for assessing local
significance.
4.3.1 Local Archaeological Studies
A number of archaeological surveys have been undertaken in the Hunter Valley, including some in areas
relevant to the project area. The investigations most pertinent to the current project area are summarised
below. The information from the previous work will assist with predictive modelling by identifying potential
archaeological sites and allowing for planning and management recommendations to be formulated with
confidence.
A comprehensive study covering the area to the east of the Wambo and Jerrys Plains ridgelines (including
the project area) was undertaken by White (2003). The results of the Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) (White 2003) showed that there were a large number of artefact scatters and isolated finds in the area,
together with evidence of raw materials for making stone tools, ochre and an abundant supply of fauna and
flora, all of which would have been useful resources.
Occupation areas or open camp sites were generally located on the gently sloping areas in close proximity to
water. In particular, they were identified along major creek lines and at the confluence of major tributaries of
North Wambo Creek, Wambo Creek (known locally as South Wambo Creek), Waterfall Creek and Stony
Creek. These creeks and their tributaries drain into Wollombi Brook and the Hunter River. The Hunter River
lies to the north and north east of the project area, Wollombi Brook lies directly to the east and South Wambo
Creek and Stony Creek lie to the south and south west.
Wambo and Jerrys Plains Ridges bound the project area to the west and the upper slopes comprise vertical
sandstone cliffs with very steep screed and talus slopes. These north east facing ridgelines are difficult to
access and were unlikely to have been used for regular access through the mountains. The upper slope
areas are covered in conglomerate sandstone boulders and stony scree, the mid slope areas are moderately
sloping and are incised by a number of ephemeral creek lines. These areas are densely treed. The foot and
toe slope areas are gently sloping and easily accessible and are generally cleared lands from previous
farming practices. There is evidence of extensive flooding of the major creek lines in the region and the
major waterways, the Hunter River, Wollombi Brook and North Wambo Creek, have extensive flood plains on
either side. As substantiated by the density of artefact scatters and open camp sites in the foot slope and
toe slope areas, it is considered likely that occupation was generally on the easily accessible sloped areas
and on either side of the major creek lines outside of the flood area or above the flood line. These locations
would have provided convenient access to food and raw material resources.
The results of other archaeological studies undertaken in the local area show that the north eastern bank of
North Wambo Creek has a higher density of artefact scatters and isolated finds than the south western bank.
As such this area appears to have been more densely occupied or used in the past than the south western
area (i.e. the project area).
Dyall, L.K 1980. Report on Aboriginal Relics on Wambo Coal Lease, Warkworth
Dyall was commissioned to undertake an archaeological survey for further development works incorporating
an extension of the existing open cut and pit mining at Wambo Mine. Dyall conducted further survey work on
the northern and western banks of Wollombi Brook to the west of Warkworth and on the opposite side of the
creek to the 12 previously recorded artefact scatter sites A – L and grinding groove Site M (Dyall November
1979). The survey area was bounded to the south west by North Wambo Creek.
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