[Graybeard]

Originally Posted by The Pre-History of Australia. Mulvaney & Kamminga Fish Traps were one category of field construction that provided Aborigines with a regular bounty. There were many designs. Historical records reveal that traps could provide more than 1.5 kgs (3 pounds ??) of fish per person per day. They were made of rocks, branches, or wickerwork, but those that have survived as field relics were made of stone. Perhaps the remains of thousands of traps lie buried beneath alluvial sediments in estuaries and along coasts and former river channels. Aboriginal fish traps are notoriously difficult to date, but sediments immediately underlying the few that have been studied are very recent in age. This is logical, considering these relatively fragile structures are designed to filter tidal flow but not the storms and floods to which they are subjected. Whatever their construction they require periodic maintenance for effective service. The best known example of freshwater traps lined the Darling river at Brewarrina . It comprised a convoluted series of stone weirs and pens some 400 metres (1200 ft ??) long, constructed from river cobbles. The enclosures were of different shapes and sizes, of various heights, to accomodate changes in the levels of the river.

An old Picture of the Brewarrina Fish Traps.



It looks sadder, overgrown and neglected today.



Brewarrina is a small town with a large Aboriginal Population. Mainly owing to alcohol it has troubles of its own. However it has a really great Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Museum. And as a small bit of Trivia, Michael Chamberlain, former husband of Lindy Chamberlain works there as a football coach and Youth worker and has done wonders for the youth of this town.



enjoy ... cool bananas ... greg