Description

Sandstone Caves: Where Culture and Nature Work Together

I couldn’t imagine more descriptive words than what I would imagine a religious experience would be. This huge cave, with its twisting, weathered column-like structure with almost rippling, swirling movement in texture and pattern to the grand ceiling, takes your breath away. It makes you feel why it is a highly special place for the First Nation peoples. A truly magical place

Before early settlers the Sandstone caves was a busy meeting point or gathering place at the end of country. Different First Nation groups come together and share their cultures, trade, for weddings and ceremonies —- Once used for all aspects of traditional life. Discover grinding marks used to sharpen tools and weapons, and Ancient artworks left behind come in the form of rock carvings of animals. —- Different sections of caves were used for different parts of their community. In other words a section for younger men and a different cave section for older men(showing larger tool grooves). —- There are also a number of secret areas leading out from the caves exclusive to men or women where traditional ceremonies still take place and oral histories can be passed down. —- Throughout the site, you can find deep pockets carved into the stone. They used to be holding wells for water —- To give you an idea of the depth of meaning the land has to the First Nation peoples, Custodian Gamilaraay man Brett Ashby comments as to his connection to this land “I am this country, this country is me” —- Need a week to explore the whole Pilliga Nature Reserve are well. It covers 200,000 acres of untouched bushland.

Find more great subjects like this in Dust and Good Bones Discover The Pilliga Section

Location discovered during my Brisbane to Hay photographic road trip. I found this a moment of shelter during the floods, as did the First Nation Peoples in past times.

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