Managing a contested cultural heritage place on K’gari (Fraser Island), Queensland, Australia

A study on K’gari (Fraser Island) reveals that intangible Indigenous Knowledge is crucial for assigning cultural significance to contested places like Takky Wooroo. While tangible archaeological evidence is lacking, the research demonstrates that memorialization, association, and the archaeology of absence can link Takky Wooroo to a historically documented massacre event from the 19th century. The study employs a multi-vocal methodology within Indigenous archaeologies, combining oral history from Traditional Owners with archival sources to assess perceptions held by stakeholders. This approach highlights the importance of integrating intangible understandings in heritage management, particularly when material culture alone cannot establish significance.

WEISSE, A., & ROSS, A. (2017). Managing a contested cultural heritage place on K’gari (Fraser Island), Queensland, Australia. Archaeology in Oceania, 52(3), 149–160. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/arco.5130