Report on archaeological fieldwork at Narran Lakes, New South Wales

Archaeological fieldwork was carried out by the University of New England and the Narran Lakes Nature Reserve Co-Management Committee on the Narran Lakes Nature Reserve between 14 and 26 November, 2016. The aim of the fieldwork was to collected sufficient information for a 'proof of concept' study to support a future funding application for archaeological research. Research was conducted by a team of four archaeologists and archaeology students led by Dr Mark Moore, and in association with representatives from the Co-Management Committee. No artefacts or other materials were collected or moved during the fieldwork, and archaeological sites were in no way altered or impacted.

The session began with community engagement sessions with Walgett Community College and Lightning Ridge Central School, including two classroom sessions and three on-country visits.

Detailed archaeological recording and in-field analysis was conducted on stone artefacts and hearth features in four blocks, augmented by hearth and grindstone recording in the surrounding areas. Historical recording was conducted on a gabled house structure with Aboriginal connections within the Nature Reserve, and on three ethnographic artefacts held at Gingie Station near Walgett.

Considerable variation in the archaeological assemblages was documented in the recording blocks and across the Narran Lakes Nature Reserve. The data collected during this fieldwork shows that the Narran Lakes archaeological record is of regional, national, and international scientific significance.