Appendix C - Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment - Peabody Energy

Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment
North Wambo Underground Mine Modification
In the regional area artefact scatters and isolated finds make up the majority of site types (Table 8). A bora
ground and grinding grooves have also been recorded in the region but these sites are some distance from
the project area (one to two kilometres to the east) with no potential impacts from the NWUMM and therefore
are not assessed further. The bora ground is located on the eastern bank of Wollombi Brook to the southeast
of the project area. Grinding grooves are often found on large open and relatively flat areas of
sandstone shelving and outcrops in close proximity to water, such as the exposed sandstone along rivers
and other tributary drainage lines and swamps. No grinding groove sites have been found in the creek lines
within the boundary of the proposed longwall mining extension area. A glossary of site types has been
included in Appendix 6 of this report.
Table 8 Summary of AHIMS Results ordered by site types and frequency
Site Type Frequency Percent
Artefact Scatter 28 68.29%
Isolated Find 10
24.39%
Possible Scarred Tree 1 2.44%
PAD 1 2.44%
Salvaged 1 2.44
Total 41 100%
The results of the AHIMS searches show that the area would most likely have been used for camping and
resource procurement, particularly with relation to Wollombi Brook to the east, North Wambo Creek to the
north and Wambo Creek (South Wambo Creek) and Stony Creek to the south/south east. The project area
is characterised by gently sloping toe slopes and moderately sloping foot slopes with a low lying hilly area in
the west, north and north east of the study area. To the west of the project area are the steeper sloping mid
slopes and upper slopes of rolling hills and the very steeply sloping screed and talus slopes with vertical
sandstone cliffs which form the Wambo and Jerrys Plains Ridgelines that trend from the north west to the
south east. These north east facing ridgelines are generally inaccessible and were unlikely to have been
utilised as trading routes as there are more accessible passes through the mountains to the north-west and
south-west of the project area.
4.4 Predictive Model for Archaeology in the Project Area
A predictive model is created to give an indication of Aboriginal sites likely to occur within the project area. It
draws on the review of the existing information from the regional and local archaeological context and the
environmental context. The predictive model is necessary to formulate appropriate field methodologies in
addition to providing information for the assessment of archaeological significance.
There are a number of factors which influence Aboriginal occupation of an area. These include essential
subsistence resources such as food (flora and fauna), and fresh water. Additionally, floral and faunal
resources were used for clothing, medicines, shelter and baskets and shields. Raw stone materials were
utilised for the manufacture of tools and weapons. Ridges, flat elevated areas and rock shelters would have
been favoured as places for occupation. Cultural or spiritual sites, such as corroboree sites, mythological
places and initiation sites, may have been associated with certain landforms or specific sites or areas in the
landscape.
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